Spin-polarization of platinum (111) induced by the proximity to cobalt nanostripes

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that a cobalt nanostripe induces a measurable spin polarization in the adjacent platinum (111) surface, which decays exponentially with distance, combining experimental measurements and ab-initio calculations.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the proximity-induced spin polarization in platinum surfaces near cobalt nanostripes, combining experimental and theoretical approaches.

Findings

Spin polarization extends over 1 nm from the Pt/Co interface.

Spin polarization decays exponentially with distance.

Theoretical calculations reveal the interplay between magnetic moments and electronic states.

Abstract

We measured a spin polarization above a Pt (111) surface in the vicinity of a Co nanostripe by spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The spin polarization is exponentially decaying away from the Pt/Co interface and is detectable at distances larger than 1 nm. By performing self-consistent ab-initio calculations of the electronic-structure for a related model system we reveal the interplay between the induced magnetic moments within the Pt surface and the spin-resolved electronic density of states above the surface.