Quantum size effects in Pb layers with absorbed Kondo adatoms: Determination of the exchange coupling constant

TL;DR

This paper investigates the quantum size effects on magnetic interactions in Pb layers with absorbed Kondo adatoms, using ab-initio calculations and experimental data to determine the exchange coupling constant J.

Contribution

It introduces a combined experimental and numerical method to accurately determine the exchange coupling constant J in Pb layers with magnetic adatoms.

Findings

Calculated density of states and Kondo temperature vary with Pb layer thickness.

Determined the exchange coupling constant J from combined data.

Provides a general method for extracting J in similar systems.

Abstract

We consider the magnetic interaction of manganese phtalocyanine (MnPc) absorbed on Pb layers which were grown on a Si substrate. We perform an ab-initio calculation of the density of states and Kondo temperature as function of the number of Pb monolayers. Comparison to experimental data [Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 256601 (2007)] then allows us to determine the exchange coupling constant J between the spins of the adsorbed molecules and those of the Pb host. This approach gives rise to a general and reliable method for obtaining J, by combining experimental and numerical results.