Structural and electronic properties of the graphene/Al/Ni(111) intercalation-like system

TL;DR

This study investigates the structural and electronic characteristics of a graphene/Al/Ni(111) system, combining experimental techniques and electronic structure calculations to explore its potential for spin-filter applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the graphene/Al/Ni(111) system's properties using both experimental and theoretical methods, advancing understanding of intercalation effects.

Findings

Decoupling of graphene from Ni(111) achieved via Al intercalation

Electronic structure modifications observed with intercalation

Potential for graphene-based spin-filter devices identified

Abstract

Decoupling of the graphene layer from the ferromagnetic substrate via intercalation of sp metal has recently been proposed as an effective way to realize single-layer graphene-based spin-filter. Here, the structural and electronic properties of the prototype system, graphene/Al/Ni(111), are investigated via combination of electron diffraction and spectroscopic methods. These studies are accompanied by state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations. The properties of this prospective Al-intercalation-like system and its possible implementations in future graphene-based devices are discussed.