Abstract
We reveal for the first time through a theoretical first-principles study that the adsorption of a nonmagnetic -conjugated organic molecule on a ferromagnetic surface locally increases the strength of the magnetic exchange interaction between the magnetic atoms binding directly to the molecule. This magnetic hardening effect leads to the creation of a local molecular mediated magnetic unit with a stable magnetization direction and an enhanced barrier for the magnetization switching as compared to the clean surface. Remarkably, such a hybrid organic-ferromagnetic system exhibits also a spin-filter functionality with sharp spin-split molecularlike electronic features at the molecular site.
- Received 30 April 2013
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.106805
© 2013 American Physical Society
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Molecules for Spin Devices
Published 4 September 2013
Researchers propose a new type of spintronics device, based on an organic molecule bound to a surface, which could act as a spin filter or a magnetic memory element.
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