Large insulating nitride islands on Cu3Au as a template for atomic spin structures

Abstract

We present controlled growth of c(2×2)N islands on the (100) surface of Cu 3 Au, which can be used as an insulating surface template for manipulation of magnetic adatoms. Compared to the commonly used Cu(100)/c(2×2)N surface, where island sizes do not exceed several nanometers due to strain limitation, the current system provides better lattice matching between metal and adsorption layer, allowing larger unstrained islands to be formed. We show that we can achieve island sizes ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers, increasing the potential building area by a factor 10 3 . Initial manipulation attempts show no observable difference in adatom behaviour, either in manipulation or spectroscopy.

Complete reversal of the atomic unquenched orbital moment by a single electron

“…We use a low-temperature STM to perform controlled singleatom manipulation and IETS. We coordinate Fe atoms, deposited on an insulating layer of Cu 2 N that is grown on a Cu 3 Au(100) substrate 17 , atop the N and Cu sites of the lattice (Fig. 1a).…”

“…The experiment was conducted using a commercial low temperature, high magnetic field STM (Unisoku USM1300s). The sample was prepared in situ: monolayer insulating islands of Cu 2 N were grown on a Cu 3 Au(100) surface via nitrogen sputtering 17 , and subsequently single Fe atoms were evaporated on the cold sample using electron-beam physical vapor deposition. A variable out-of-plane magnetic field was applied using a superconducting magnetic coil.…”

A versatile platform for graphene nanoribbon synthesis, electronic decoupling, and spin polarized measurements

“…Additional surface chemistry can become active at elevated temperatures (See the discussion in ESI and Figure S5) and may need to be scrutinized against the requirements of one's experiment. The Cu 3 Au system can also stabilize a lattice matched copper-nitride for which electronic decoupling was successfully demonstrated with single atoms 43,44 .…”

“…The Cu 3 Au system can also stabilize a lattice matched copper-nitride for which electronic decoupling was successfully demonstrated with single atoms. 43,44 The tip functionalization on Cu 3 Au is straightforward which is valuable for the verication of synthesis steps or to enhance certain contrast modes. We demonstrate this with the routine use of CO, NiCp 2 , and Co cluster functionalized tips for highresolution imaging, magnetic imaging, and spin-polarization, respectively.…”

Remote detection and recording of atomic-scale spin dynamics

“…We used a UNISOKU USM-1300s 3 He STM system, operating at 1.5 K and B = 0.5-1 T in the plane of the sample, along the axis of the structures. The Cu 2 N/ Cu 3 Au(100) sample was prepared as described by Gobeil et al 27 . The tip is prepared as in Loth et al 8 .…”