Controlling the Kondo Effect in CoCu_n Clusters Atom by Atom

TL;DR

This study explores how the Kondo effect in CoCu_n clusters on Cu(111) can be precisely controlled at the atomic level, revealing size-dependent electronic interactions through combined experimental and computational methods.

Contribution

It demonstrates the ability to tune the Kondo effect in atomic clusters by controlling cluster size and provides insights into the electronic structure's role in correlation phenomena.

Findings

Kondo temperature varies non-monotonically with cluster size.

Electronic structure influences correlation effects in small clusters.

Experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement.

Abstract

Clusters containing a single magnetic impurity were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy, spectroscopy, and ab initio electronic structure calculations. The Kondo temperature of a Co atom embedded in Cu clusters on Cu(111) exhibits a non-monotonic variation with the cluster size. Calculations model the experimental observations and demonstrate the importance of the local and anisotropic electronic structure for correlation effects in small clusters.