We report on the magnetic properties of Dy atoms adsorbed on the (001) surface of SrTiO3. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism reveals slow relaxation of the Dy magnetization on a time scale of about 800 s at 2.5 K, unusually associated with an easy-plane magnetic anisotropy. We attribute these properties to Dy atoms occupying hollow adsorption sites on the TiO2-terminated surface. Conversely, Ho atoms adsorbed on the same surface show paramagnetic behavior down to 2.5 K. With the help of atomic multiplet simulations and first-principles calculations, we establish that Dy populates also the top-O and bridge sites on the coexisting SrO-terminated surface. A simple magnetization relaxation model predicts these two sites to have an even longer magnetization lifetime than the hollow site. Moreover, the adsorption of Dy on the insulating SrTiO3 crystal leads, regardless of the surface termination, to the formation of a spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas of Ti 3dxy character, together with an antiferromagnetic Dy-Ti coupling. Our findings support the feasibility of tuning the magnetic properties of the rare-earth atoms by acting on the substrate electronic gas with electric fields.

Bellini, V., Rusponi, S., Kolorenč, J., Mahatha, S.k., Valbuena, M.a., Persichetti, L., et al. (2022). Slow magnetic relaxation of Dy adatoms with in-plane magnetic anisotropy on a two-dimensional electron gas. ACS NANO, 16(7), 11182-11193 [10.1021/acsnano.2c04048].

Slow magnetic relaxation of Dy adatoms with in-plane magnetic anisotropy on a two-dimensional electron gas

Persichetti, Luca;
2022-06-30

Abstract

We report on the magnetic properties of Dy atoms adsorbed on the (001) surface of SrTiO3. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism reveals slow relaxation of the Dy magnetization on a time scale of about 800 s at 2.5 K, unusually associated with an easy-plane magnetic anisotropy. We attribute these properties to Dy atoms occupying hollow adsorption sites on the TiO2-terminated surface. Conversely, Ho atoms adsorbed on the same surface show paramagnetic behavior down to 2.5 K. With the help of atomic multiplet simulations and first-principles calculations, we establish that Dy populates also the top-O and bridge sites on the coexisting SrO-terminated surface. A simple magnetization relaxation model predicts these two sites to have an even longer magnetization lifetime than the hollow site. Moreover, the adsorption of Dy on the insulating SrTiO3 crystal leads, regardless of the surface termination, to the formation of a spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas of Ti 3dxy character, together with an antiferromagnetic Dy-Ti coupling. Our findings support the feasibility of tuning the magnetic properties of the rare-earth atoms by acting on the substrate electronic gas with electric fields.
30-giu-2022
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore FIS/03 - FISICA DELLA MATERIA
English
X-ray magnetic circular dichroism
density functional theory
perovskite oxides
single atom magnets
slow magnetic relaxation
Bellini, V., Rusponi, S., Kolorenč, J., Mahatha, S.k., Valbuena, M.a., Persichetti, L., et al. (2022). Slow magnetic relaxation of Dy adatoms with in-plane magnetic anisotropy on a two-dimensional electron gas. ACS NANO, 16(7), 11182-11193 [10.1021/acsnano.2c04048].
Bellini, V; Rusponi, S; Kolorenč, J; Mahatha, Sk; Valbuena, Ma; Persichetti, L; Pivetta, M; Sorokin, Bv; Merk, D; Reynaud, S; Sblendorio, D; Stepanow, S; Nistor, C; Gargiani, P; Betto, D; Mugarza, A; Gambardella, P; Brune, H; Carbone, C; Barla, A
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/303922
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