Single Atom Magnets on Thermally Stable Adsorption Sites: Dy on NaCl(100)

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that individual Dy atoms on NaCl(100) surfaces exhibit magnetic bistability and long relaxation times, making NaCl a promising platform for stable single atom magnets at relatively high temperatures.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of thermally stable single Dy atom magnets on NaCl(100), with detailed magnetic properties and relaxation times, expanding the potential for atomic-scale magnetic storage.

Findings

Dy atoms on NaCl(100) are thermally stable up to 300 K.

Dy on Na surface shows magnetic hysteresis and long relaxation times.

NaCl serves as an effective platform for single atom magnetic stability.

Abstract

We report magnetic bistability in single Dy atoms on NaCl(100) thin films. Individual Dy atoms substituting Na at the surface of the NaCl layer are thermally stable up to at least 300 K, display $4f^{9}$ occupancy, out-of-plane easy magnetization axis, and long spin relaxation time $T_1$ of about 10 s at 2.5 K; thereby they are the first single atom magnet on a thermally stable adsorption site. Dy atoms adsorbed onto the Cl and bridge sites display $4f^{10}$ occupancy. Dy on top-Cl exhibit magnetic hysteresis and a $T_1$ of 550 s at 0.3 T and 2.5 K. The observed slow magnetic relaxation of Dy on both adsorption sites introduces NaCl as an effective platform for single atom magnets.