Non-collinear spin states in bottom-up fabricated atomic chains

Manuel Steinbrecher (), Roman Rausch (), Khai Ton That, Jan Hermenau, Alexander A. Khajetoorians, Michael Potthoff, Roland Wiesendanger and Jens Wiebe ()
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Manuel Steinbrecher: Hamburg University
Roman Rausch: Hamburg University
Khai Ton That: Hamburg University
Jan Hermenau: Hamburg University
Alexander A. Khajetoorians: Hamburg University
Michael Potthoff: Hamburg University
Roland Wiesendanger: Hamburg University
Jens Wiebe: Hamburg University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Non-collinear spin states with unique rotational sense, such as chiral spin-spirals, are recently heavily investigated because of advantages for future applications in spintronics and information technology and as potential hosts for Majorana Fermions when coupled to a superconductor. Tuning the properties of such spin states, e.g., the rotational period and sense, is a highly desirable yet difficult task. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the bottom-up assembly of a spin-spiral derived from a chain of iron atoms on a platinum substrate using the magnetic tip of a scanning tunneling microscope as a tool. We show that the spin-spiral is induced by the interplay of the Heisenberg and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya components of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction between the iron atoms. The relative strengths and signs of these two components can be adjusted by the interatomic iron distance, which enables tailoring of the rotational period and sense of the spin-spiral.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05364-5

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