Evidence for a Kondo Spin Resonance in Magnetic Iron Nanoislands on Antiferromagnetic Chromium Nitride (001)

ORAL

Abstract

We have explored the electronic properties of iron nanoislands on antiferromagnetic chromium nitride substrates [1] using low-temperature (4.2K) scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and we find sharp peaks or V-dips at the Fermi level for the nanoislands which are not seen in plain iron, chromium, or chromium nitride surfaces. Spectra are acquired using both a normal W tip and an Fe-coated W tip, and the spectra show some similarities as well as important differences. The Fermi level peak/dip features can also be mapped spatially using dI/dV conductance mode imaging. Comparisons to theoretical results based on first principles calculations allow us to determine magnetic structural models and compare the observed spectra with the calculated density of states which supports a possible Kondo spin resonance interpretation in terms of a ferromagnetic nanoisland which is magnetically de-coupled from an antiferromagnetic CrN substrate.[2]

[1] K. Alam et al., Physical Review B 96, 104433 (2017).
[2] Manuscript in preparation.

*This research has been supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering under Award No. DE-FG02-06ER46317.

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Presenters

  • Arthur Smith

    • Ohio University
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University
    • Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University

Authors

  • Arthur Smith

    • Ohio University
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University
    • Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University

  • Khan Alam

    • Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University
    • Physics Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    • Department of Physics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

  • Rodrigo Ponce

    • Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnologia, UNAM
    • Instituto de Fisica, Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla
    • National Autonomous University of Mexico
    • Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology National Autonomous University of Mexico

  • Yingqiao Ma

    • Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University

  • Andrew Foley

    • Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University

  • Ashok Shrestha

    • Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University

  • Gregorio Cocoletzi

    • Instituto de Fisica, Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla

  • Noboru Takeuchi

    • Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
    • Center of Nanoscience and Nanotechology, National Autonomous University of Mexico
    • National Autonomous University of Mexico Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
    • Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
    • Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
    • National Autonomous University of Mexico