Journal Article

PreJuSER-56495

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Chiral magnetic order at surfaces driven by inversion asymmetry

Bode, M. ; Heide, M.FZJ* ; von Bergmann, K. ; Ferriani, P. ; Heinze, S. ; Bihlmayer, G.FZJ* ; Kubetzka, A. ; Pietzsch, O. ; Blügel, S.FZJ* ; Wiesendanger, R.

2007
Nature Publising Group London [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/nature05802

Abstract: Chirality is a fascinating phenomenon that can manifest itself in subtle ways, for example in biochemistry (in the observed single-handedness of biomolecules) and in particle physics (in the charge-parity violation of electroweak interactions). In condensed matter, magnetic materials can also display single-handed, or homochiral, spin structures. This may be caused by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, which arises from spin-orbit scattering of electrons in an inversion-asymmetric crystal field. This effect is typically irrelevant in bulk metals as their crystals are inversion symmetric. However, low-dimensional systems lack structural inversion symmetry, so that homochiral spin structures may occur. Here we report the observation of magnetic order of a specific chirality in a single atomic layer of manganese on a tungsten (110) substrate. Spin-polarized scanning tunnelling microscopy reveals that adjacent spins are not perfectly antiferromagnetic but slightly canted, resulting in a spin spiral structure with a period of about 12 nm. We show by quantitative theory that this chiral order is caused by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and leads to a left-rotating spin cycloid. Our findings confirm the significance of this interaction for magnets in reduced dimensions. Chirality in nanoscale magnets may play a crucial role in spintronic devices, where the spin rather than the charge of an electron is used for data transmission and manipulation. For instance, a spin-polarized current flowing through chiral magnetic structures will exert a spin-torque on the magnetic structure, causing a variety of excitations or manipulations of the magnetization and giving rise to microwave emission, magnetization switching, or magnetic motors.

Keyword(s): J

Note: Record converted from VDB: 12.11.2012

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Quanten-Theorie der Materialien (IFF-1)
2. Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance - Fundamentals of Future Information Technology (JARA-FIT)
3. Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance - Simulation Sciences (JARA-SIM)

Research Program(s):

1. Kondensierte Materie (P54)

Appears in the scientific report 2007

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