Non-collinear magnetism of Cr nanostructures on Fe$_{3ML}$/Cu(001): first--principles and experimental investigations

TL;DR

This study combines experimental X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and first-principles calculations to investigate complex non-collinear magnetism in Cr nanostructures on Fe/Cu(001), revealing antiferromagnetic interactions and frustrated magnetic configurations.

Contribution

It provides the first combined experimental and theoretical analysis of non-collinear magnetism in Cr nanostructures on Fe/Cu(001), confirming complex magnetic coupling.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between Cr and Fe atoms.

Confirmation of non-collinear magnetic configurations through experiments.

Presence of magnetic frustration leading to complex spin structures.

Abstract

A combined experimental, using X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism and theoretical investigation, using full-potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) Green function method, is carried out to study the spin structure of small magnetic Cr adatom--clusters on the surface of 3 monolayers of $fcc$ Fe deposited on Cu(001). The exchange interaction between the different Cr adatoms as well as between the Cr atoms and the Fe atoms is of antiferromagnetic nature and of comparable magnitude, leading due to frustration to complex non-collinear magnetic configurations. The presence of non-collinear magnetic coupling obtained by {\it ab initio} calculations is confirmed by the experimental results.