Absence of spin-flip transition at the Cr(001) surface: A combined spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy and neutron scattering study

T. Hänke, S. Krause, L. Berbil-Bautista, M. Bode, R. Wiesendanger, V. Wagner, D. Lott, and A. Schreyer
Phys. Rev. B 71, 184407 – Published 13 May 2005

Abstract

The spin-density wave (SDW) on Cr(001) has been investigated at temperatures between 20300K by means of spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM). Although neutron-scattering data measured on the same crystal clearly show a spin-flip transition from a transversal (T)-SDW to a longitudinal (L)-SDW at the expected spin-flip (SF) temperature TSF=123K, no change was found on the Cr(001) surface with SP-STM. Throughout the entire temperature range the Cr(001) surface maintains a topological antiferromagnetic order with an in-plane magnetization that inverts between adjacent atomically flat terraces separated by monatomic step edges. The experimental results are interpreted by an absence of a spin-flip transition in the near-surface region probably driven by the surface anisotropy. The continuous connection of the surface T-SDW to the bulk L-SDW is accomplished by the formation of a 90° domain wall just below the surface.

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  • Received 6 January 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.71.184407

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

T. Hänke, S. Krause, L. Berbil-Bautista, M. Bode*, and R. Wiesendanger

  • Institute of Applied Physics and Microstructure Research Center, University of Hamburg, Jungiusstrasse 11, D-20355 Hamburg, Germany

V. Wagner

  • Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany

D. Lott and A. Schreyer

  • Institut für Werkstoffforschung, GKSS Forschungszentrum, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany

  • *Electronic address: mbode@physnet.uni-hamburg.de

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Issue

Vol. 71, Iss. 18 — 1 May 2005

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