First-principles study of electronic and magnetic properties of Fe atoms on Cu2N/Cu(100)

TL;DR

This study uses first-principles calculations to analyze the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Fe atoms and dimers on Cu2N/Cu(100), revealing insights into magnetic anisotropy and its origins in nanostructures.

Contribution

It provides a detailed first-principles analysis of Fe atoms and dimers on Cu2N/Cu(100), highlighting the origin of magnetic anisotropy in these nanostructures.

Findings

Fe atoms form strong Fe-N bonds on Cu2N/Cu(100).

Both Fe atoms and dimers exhibit in-plane magnetic anisotropy.

Fe dimers have higher magnetic anisotropy energy than single Fe atoms.

Abstract

First-principles calculations were conducted to investigate the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of single Fe atoms and Fe dimers on Cu2N/Cu(100). Upon adsorption of an Fe atom onto Cu2N/Cu(100), robust Fe-N bonds form, resulting in the incorporation of both single Fe atoms and Fe dimers within the surface Cu2N layer. The partial occupancy of Fe-3d orbitals lead to large spin moments on the Fe atoms. Interestingly, both single Fe atoms and Fe dimers exhibit in-plane magnetic anisotropy, with the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of an Fe dimer exceeding twice that of a single Fe atom. This magnetic anisotropy can be attributed to the predominant contribution of the component along the x direction of the spin-orbital coupling Hamiltonian. Additionally, the formation of Fe-Cu dimers may further boost the magnetic anisotropy, as the energy levels of the Fe-3d orbitals are remarkably influenced by the presence of Cu atoms. Our study manifests the significance of uncovering the origin of magnetic anisotropy in engineering the magnetic properties of magnetic nanostructures.