An orbitally derived single-atom magnetic memory(Article)(Open Access)
- aInstitute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525, Netherlands
- bSchool of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
- cTheoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics Department, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620002, Russian Federation
Abstract
A magnetic atom epitomizes the scaling limit for magnetic information storage. Individual atomic spins have recently exhibited magnetic remanence, a requirement for magnetic memory. However, such memory has been only realized on thin insulating surfaces, removing potential tunability via electronic gating or exchange-driven magnetic coupling. Here, we show a previously unobserved mechanism for single-atom magnetic storage based on bistability in the orbital population, or so-called valency, of an individual Co atom on semiconducting black phosphorus (BP). Ab initio calculations reveal that distance-dependent screening from the BP surface stabilizes the two distinct valencies, each with a unique orbital population, total magnetic moment, and spatial charge density. Excellent correspondence between the measured and predicted charge densities reveal that such orbital configurations can be accessed and manipulated without a spin-sensitive readout mechanism. This orbital memory derives stability from the energetic barrier to atomic relaxation, demonstrating the potential for high-temperature single-atom information storage. © 2018, The Author(s).
Indexed keywords
| EMTREE drug terms: | cobaltphosphorus |
|---|---|
| GEOBASE Subject Index: | ion exchangemagnetic methodmemoryphosphorus |
| EMTREE medical terms: | ab initio calculationanisotropyArticleatomdensityinformation storagemagnetismmolecular stabilitysurface property |
Chemicals and CAS Registry Numbers:
cobalt, 7440-48-4; phosphorus, 7723-14-0
Funding details
| Funding sponsor | Funding number | Acronym |
|---|---|---|
| Villum Fonden | 11744 | |
| Horizon 2020 Framework Programme See opportunities by H2020 | 751437 | H2020 |
| Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft See opportunities by DFG | KH324/1-1 | DFG |
| Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek | 680-47-534 | NWO |
| Russian Science Foundation | 17-72-20041 | RSF |
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1
We would like to acknowledge scientific discussions with Nadine Hauptmann, Jill Miwa, and Michael Flatté. B.K. and A.A.K. acknowledge financial support from the Emmy Noether Program (KH324/1-1) via the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, and The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). B.K. and A.A.K. also acknowledge the VIDI project: “Manipulating the interplay between superconductivity and chiral magnetism at the single-atom level” with project number 680-47-534, which is financed by NWO. A.N.R. acknowledges support from the Russian Science Foundation, Grant 17-72-20041. This work was supported by VILLUM FONDEN via the Center of Excellence for Dirac Materials (Grant No. 11744). B.K. and A.A.K. acknowledges funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 751437.
- ISSN: 20411723
- Source Type: Journal
- Original language: English
- DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06337-4
- PubMed ID: 30254221
- Document Type: Article
- Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
Khajetoorians, A.A.; Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands;
© Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
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