Abstract
Carrying a large, pure spin magnetic moment of 7 μB per atom in the half-filled 4f shell, divalent europium is an outstanding element for assembling novel magnetic devices in which a two-dimensional electron gas may be polarized due to exchange interaction with an underlying magnetically-active Eu layer. Here we show that the Si-Rh-Si surface trilayer of the antiferromagnet EuRh 2 Si 2 bears a surface state, which exhibits an unexpected and large spin splitting controllable by temperature. The splitting sets in below ∼32.5 K, well above the ordering temperature of the Eu 4f moments (∼24.5 K) in the bulk, indicating a larger ordering temperature in the topmost Eu layers. The driving force for the itinerant ferromagnetism at the surface is the aforementioned exchange interaction. Such a splitting may also be induced into states of functional surface layers deposited onto the surface of EuRh 2 Si 2 or similarly ordered magnetic materials with metallic or semiconducting properties.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 3171 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Jan 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemistry(all)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Physics and Astronomy(all)