Abstract
We predict the existence of paramagnetic spin excitations (PSE) in nonmagnetic single adatoms. Our calculations demonstrate that PSE develop a well-defined structure in the meV region when the adatom’s Stoner criterion for magnetism is close to the critical point. We further reveal a subtle tunability and enhancement of PSE by external magnetic fields. Finally, we show how PSE can be detected as moving steps in the signal of inelastic scanning tunneling spectroscopy, opening a potential route for experimentally accessing electronic properties of nonmagnetic adatoms, such as the Stoner parameter.
- Received 13 February 2017
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.017203
© 2017 American Physical Society