Induced magnetism of carbon atoms at the graphene/Ni(111) interface

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of graphene on Ni(111), revealing that carbon atoms acquire an induced magnetic moment due to hybridization with nickel's electronic states, which is measured using magnetic circular dichroism.

Contribution

It provides the first element-specific measurement of induced magnetism in carbon atoms at the graphene/Ni(111) interface, highlighting the role of hybridization.

Findings

Carbon atoms in graphene exhibit an induced magnetic moment of 0.05-0.1 μB per atom.

The magnetic moment aligns parallel to Ni 3d magnetization.

Hybridization between C π and Ni 3d states causes the induced magnetism.

Abstract

We report an element-specific investigation of electronic and magnetic properties of the graphene/Ni(111) system. Using magnetic circular dichroism, the occurrence of an induced magnetic moment of the carbon atoms in the graphene layer aligned parallel to the Ni 3d magnetization is observed. We attribute this magnetic moment to the strong hybridization between C $\pi$ and Ni 3d valence band states. The net magnetic moment of carbon in the graphene layer is estimated to be in the range of $0.05-0.1 \mu_B$ per atom.