Probing the spinor nature of electronic states in nanosize non-collinear magnets

Jeison A. Fischer (), Leonid M. Sandratskii (), Soo-Hyon Phark (), Safia Ouazi, André A. Pasa, Dirk Sander and Stuart S. P. Parkin
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Jeison A. Fischer: Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik
Leonid M. Sandratskii: Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik
Soo-Hyon Phark: Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik
Safia Ouazi: Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik
André A. Pasa: Laboratório de Filmes Finos e Superfícies, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Dirk Sander: Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik
Stuart S. P. Parkin: Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Non-collinear magnetization textures provide a route to novel device concepts in spintronics. These applications require laterally confined non-collinear magnets (NCM). A crucial aspect for potential applications is how the spatial proximity between the NCM and vacuum or another material impacts the magnetization texture on the nanoscale. We focus on a prototypical exchange-driven NCM given by the helical spin order of bilayer Fe on Cu(111). Spin-polarized scanning tunnelling spectroscopy and density functional theory reveal a nanosize- and proximity-driven modification of the electronic and magnetic structure of the NCM in interfacial contact with a ferromagnet or with vacuum. An intriguing non-collinearity between the local magnetization in the sample and the electronic magnetization probed above its surface results. It is a direct consequence of the spinor nature of electronic states in NCM. Our findings provide a possible route for advanced control of nanoscale spin textures by confinement.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13000

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