Ground-state magnetic properties of (formula presented) clusters on Pd(111): Spin moments, orbital moments, and magnetic anisotropy Article uri icon

abstract

  • The ground-state spin moments (formula presented) orbital moments (formula presented) and magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of (formula presented) clusters deposited on the Pd(111) surface are determined in the framework of a self-consistent, real-space tight-binding method. Two-dimensional (formula presented) with (formula presented) show remarkably large total magnetic moments per Co atom (formula presented) which are the result of three physically distinct effects. The first and leading contribution comes, as expected, from the local spin moments (formula presented) at the Co atoms (formula presented) (formula presented) Second, significant spin moments are induced at the Pd atoms (formula presented) close to the Co-Pd interface, which amount to about 20%25 of (formula presented) (formula presented) Finally, remarkably enhanced orbital magnetic moments (formula presented) are found that are responsible for approximately 20%25 of (formula presented) In the case of Co atoms, (formula presented) is almost a factor of 3 larger than the Co-bulk orbital moment, while in Pd atoms (formula presented) represents about 10%25 of the total local moment (formula presented) The dependence of the orbital moments on the orientation of the magnetization with respect to the cluster structure is quantified. These results and the associated MAEs are analyzed from a local point of view. One- and two-dimensional (2D) (formula presented) are considered in order to investigate the structural dependence of the magnetic behavior. The role of the cluster-surface interactions is discussed by comparison with free cluster calculations. In particular, we observe that the lowest-energy magnetization direction (easy axis) changes from in-plane to off-plane upon deposition of 2D (formula presented) on Pd(111). Cluster-substrate hybridizations are therefore crucial for the magnetoanisotropic behavior of magnetic islands deposited on metallic substrates. © 2003 The American Physical Society.

publication date

  • 2003-01-01