Extended dynamical mean field theory study of the periodic Anderson model

We investigate the competition of the Kondo and the RKKY interactions in heavy fermion systems. We solve a periodic Anderson model using extended dynamical mean field theory (EDMFT) with quantum Monte Carlo method. We monitor simultaneously the evolution of the electronic and magnetic properties. As the RKKY coupling increases the heavy fermion quasiparticle unbinds and a local moment forms. At a critical RKKY coupling there is an onset of magnetic order. Within EDMFT the two transitions occur at different points and the disappearance of the magnetism is not described by a local quantum critical point.     

Direct experimental evidence for the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction in rare-earth metals

We show that the ferromagnetic heavy rare-earth (RE) metals show a transport spin polarization at the Fermi level in the majority spin, whereas in ferromagnetic light rare earths it is in the minority spin. The sign of the polarization is in agreement with what is expected due to the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) coupling formalism. We show that magnetotransport measurements on magnetic multilayer samples containing magnetic REs provide a unique opportunity to verify the RKKY coupling scheme in pure rare-earth metals, allowing us to probe both the sign and temperature dependence of the spin-density oscillation.     

Indirect exchange interaction in Rashba-spin-orbit-coupled graphene nanoflakes

We study the indirect exchange interaction, named Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) coupling, between localized magnetic impurities in graphene nanoflakes with zig-zag edges in the presence of the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI). We calculate the isotropic and anisotropic RKKY amplitudes by utilizing the tight-binding (TB) model. The RSOI, as a gate tunable variable, is responsible for changes of the RKKY amplitude. We conclude that there is not any switching of the magnetic order (from ferro- to antiferro-magnetic and vice versa) in such a system through the RSOI. The dependence of the RKKY amplitude on the positions of the magnetic impurities and the size of the system is studied. The symmetry breaking, which can occur due to the Rashba interaction, leads to spatial anisotropy in the RKKY amplitude and manifests as collinear and noncollinear terms. Our results show the possibility of control and manipulation of spin correlations in carbon spin-based nanodevices.     

Antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in amorphous Fe–Sc alloys

Results of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, AC and DC susceptibility, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, resistivity and Rutherford-backscattering measurements on the amorphous alloys ${\text{Fe}}_{100 - x} {\text{Sc}}_x (8 \leqslant x \leqslant 70)$ give for the first time convincing evidence for the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between Fe-moments. The antiferromagnetic coupling between Fe-moments is for $(8 \leqslant x \leqslant 70)$ limited to certain regions (magnetic clusters) of the sample. The nature of the coupling is of the Heisenberg type. For $8 \leqslant x < 20$ , the magnetic coupling between Fe-moments is across nonmagnetic Sc-atoms. The conduction electrons mediate an indirect magnetic interaction between the Fe-moments. The magnetic exchange coupling between Fe-moments across Sc-atoms is negative. The antiferromagnetic coupling between Fe-moments can be explained by the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida, RKKY, interaction by taking into account the damped oscillatory behavior of the RKKY interactions.     

Implication of local moment at Ti and Fe sites for the electrical and magneto-transport properties of degenerate semiconducting Ti?-xFexO?-d epitaxial films

We have investigated the effect of local magnetic moment on the electrical and magneto-transport properties of thin films of the degenerate semiconductor Ti(1-x)Fe(x)O(2-d) (x = 0,0.04). The electrical measurements of these films reveal high temperature metallic behavior and resistivity minima. The behavior below the resistivity minimum temperature is ascribed to Kondo like scattering. The coupling between the local moment and the charge carriers is reflected in the magnetoresistance measurements in these films. This work indicates competition between the magnetic ordering mechanism by J(RKKY) and the moment screening mechanism by J(Kondo). Accordingly the role of carrier density in achieving the magnetic ordering in such materials either by defect engineering or by transition metal doping is discussed.     

Electronic structure and magnetic coupling properties of EuFe2P2: First-principles calculations

We have investigated the electronic structure and magnetic properties of EuFe₂P₂ using first-principles density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA)+U schemes. Our calculated ground state magnetic configurations of EuFe₂P₂ is ferromagnetic which Eu²⁺ spins order along c axis. We argue that this kind of magnetic structure of Eu is determined by the indirect RKKY interactions between Eu and direct coupling interaction between Eu 4f with Fe 3d state by our spin-polarized density of states calculations. From the charge density and the Laplace charge density of EuFe₂P₂, we believe that the magnetic moment of Fe is determined by not only Fe-P coupling interactions but also Fe-Fe directly exchange interactions.     

The effects of electron–phonon interaction on anisotropic RKKY interaction in graphene nanoribbon

We study the Ruderman–Kittle–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) interaction in doped armchair graphene nanoribbon. The effects of both external magnetic field and electron-Holstein phonon on RKKY interaction have been addressed. RKKY interaction as a function of distance between localized moments has been analyzed. It has been shown that a magnetic field along the z-axis mediates an anisotropic interaction which corresponds to a XXZ model interaction between two magnetic moments. In order to calculate the exchange interaction along arbitrary direction between two magnetic moments, we should obtain both transverse and longitudinal static spin susceptibilities of armchair graphene nanoribbon in the presence of electron-phonon coupling and magnetic field. The spin susceptibility components are calculated using the spin dependent Green’s function approach for Holstein model Hamiltonian. The effects of spin polarization on the dependence of exchange interaction on distance between moments are investigated via calculating correlation function of spin density operators. Our results show the influences of magnetic field on the spatial behavior of in-plane and longitudinal RKKY interactions are different in the presence of magnetic field.     

Magnetic properties of bilayer nano-stanene-like structure with Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yoshida coupling

A bilayer nano-stanene-like structure with Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yoshida (RKKY) coupling described by the Ising model is proposed. The magnetic and thermodynamic properties are studied using the effective-field theory with correlations. The exchange coupling, longitudinal magnetic field, number of non-magnetic layers, and anisotropies had major influences on the magnetization, specific heat, and internal energy. Different saturation magnetizations are observed on the magnetization curve. The variation in the system blocking temperature is studied. The results provide theoretical guidance for the magnetic investigation of nanomaterials with RKKY coupling.     

Indirect RKKY interaction in doped armchair nanotube due to electron phonon interaction effects

We study the Ruderman-Kittle-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction in doped armchair nanotube in the presence of gap parameter. The effects of both next nearest neighbor hopping parameter and electron-Holstein phonon on RKKY interaction have been addressed. RKKY interaction as a function of distance between localized moments have been analyzed. In order to calculate the exchange interaction along arbitrary direction between two magnetic moments, we should obtain the transverse static spin susceptibility of armchair graphene nanoribbon in the presence of electron-phonon coupling and gap parameter. The spin susceptibility components are calculated using Green’s function approach for Holstein model Hamiltonian. The effects of electron doping on dependence of exchange interaction on distance between moments are investigated via calculating correlation function of spin density operators. Our results show the influences of next nearest neighbor hopping parameter on the spatial behavior of RKKY interactions are different in the presence of electron phonon coupling.     

Local magnetic ordering of Fe impurities in Pd2MnSn

Mössbauer effect of Fe⁵⁷ embedded as very dilute substitutional impurities in Pd₂MnSn was studied. The impurities are seen to replace the three elements in the alloy. Although the Curie temperature of the alloy is 189K, well below the room temperature, the Mössbauer spectrum recorded at room temperature consisted of two distinct 6-finger magnetic hyperfine spectra and a single unsplit line. One of the 6-finger patterns which corresponds to an internal magnetic field ofH _int=?375 kOe is inferred to arise due to local magnetic coupling of the localized magnetic moments of Fe impurities at the Pd sites with those of the 4 Mn first nearest neighbours of the Fe impurities. The other 6-finger pattern which corresponds to an internal magnetic field ofH _int=?335 kOe is inferred to arise due to the local magnetic coupling of the localized magnetic moments of the Fe impurities at the Sn sites with those of the 6 Mn second nearest neighboours of the Fe impurities. The difference in the internal magnetic fields observed at the Pd and Sn sites in the alloy could be understood qualitatively, on the basis of RKKY theory, as arising due to the different conduction electron polarization contributions to the net internal magnetic field at the Fe impurity sites. The results of the measurements suggest that the localized magnetic moments of Fe⁵⁷ impurities at Pd and Sn sites are antiferromagnetically coupled with the moments of their neighbouring Mn atoms.     

Surface magnetism in O2 dissociation-from basics to application

First-principles calculations were performed to investigate magnetic phenomena in surface reactions involving O(2). We present two magnetized surface cases: (1) oxidation of paramagnetic Ag, and magnetic properties of the high coverage oxide phase, which correspond to a magnetic impurity superlattice on paramagnetic surfaces and (2) oxidation of ferromagnetic Pt, represented by the Pt layer on M (M = Fe and Co) relevant to the oxidation reduction reaction (ORR) on Pt, in relation to both fundamental and application interests. In the first case, we found that the dissociative adsorption of O(2), resulting in oxide phases in Ag(111), reveals interesting magnetic interactions. We note that the magnetic states are induced by the ferromagnetic superexchange interactions and Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interactions. Specifically, the superlattice structures with short O-O distances have an effective ferromagnetic superexchange and RKKY interaction. In the second case, we found that a magnetic moment is induced on the Pt layer by the M substrate. The spin polarization of Pt-d states is due to hybridization with M-d states. The d-band center (ε(d)) of Pt (on M), is shifted downwards with respect to pure Pt. However, because of the spin polarization, the otherwise filled spin-down d(zz) orbital in paramagnetic pure Pt is shifted towards the Fermi level. This promotes π(z↑)-d(zz↓) interactions, which influences the O(2)-Pt interaction at O(2) far from the surface. Details and mechanisms of these two magnetic phenomena are discussed.     

Ferrimagnetism in EuFe4Sb12 due to the interplay of f-electron moments and a nearly ferromagnetic host

We combine x-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy at Fe L2,3 edges, at Eu M4,5 edges, x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigation of Eu valence, and local spin density calculations, to show that the filled skutterudite Eu0.95Fe4Sb12 is a ferrimagnet in which the Fe 3d moment and the Eu2+ 4f moment are magnetically ordered with dominant antiferromagnetic coupling. From Eu L3 edge XAS, we find that about 13% of the Eu have a formal valence of 3+. We ascribe the origin of ferrimagnetism at a relatively high transition temperature TC of 85 K in Eu0.95Fe4Sb12 to f-electron interaction with the nearly ferromagnetic [Fe4Sb12]2.2- host lattice.     

Origin of biquadratic coupling in Fe/Cr(100) superlattices

We investigate the magnetic properties of a (100) oriented [Fe(1.7 nm)/Cr(8.4 nm)](10) superlattice by means of perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy. The magnetic ordering in the Cr layers is obtained by measuring the magnetic hyperfine interaction at implanted 111Cd nuclear probes. We identify dynamic antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations in the Cr layers and show that it gives rise to the biquadratic interlayer coupling.     

Interplay between nonequilibrium and equilibrium spin torque using synthetic ferrimagnets

We discuss the current induced magnetization dynamics of spin valves F(0)|N|SyF where the free layer is a synthetic ferrimagnet SyF made of two ferromagnetic layers F(1) and F(2) coupled by RKKY exchange coupling. When the magnetic moment of the outer layer F(2) dominates the magnetization of the SyF, the sign of the effective spin torque exerted on the layer F(1) is controlled by the coupling's strength: for weak coupling the spin torque tends to antialign F(1)'s magnetization with respect to the pinned layer F(0). At large coupling the situation is reversed and tends to align F(1) with respect to F(0). At intermediate coupling, numerical simulations reveal that the competition between these two incompatible limits leads generically to spin torque oscillator (STO) behavior. The STO is found at zero magnetic field, with very significant amplitude of oscillations and frequencies up to 50 GHz or higher.     

Screening and interaction of magnetic impurities in Luttinger liquids

The spin and charge correlations induced in the conduction electron sea by the presence of a spin-1=2 magnetic impurity are investigated for one-dimensional electrons. For correlated conduction electrons, the RKKY interaction between magnetic impurities exhibits only a slow algebraic decay with distance. Increasing the exchange coupling between conduction electrons and magnetic impurity leads to a competition between the RKKY interaction and the Kondo effect. For a two-impurity model, we study the influence of the electronic correlations on this competition. Furthermore, the Kondo screening cloud and the local spin susceptibility far away from a magnetic impurity are discussed.     

Spin splitting of s and p states in single atoms and magnetic coupling in dimers on a surface

Electronic states of magnetic atoms (Mn, Fe, and Co) and artificially assembled dimers (Mn2, Fe2, and Co2) on a NiAl(110) surface were probed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy at 17 K. Resonance peaks characteristic of each adsorbed species were observed in the unoccupied density of states. Comparison of the measured spectra with calculations by density functional theory revealed spin splitting in the unoccupied states with s and p characters for the single magnetic adatoms and addimers. The magnitude of the resonance splitting for the adatoms increased with the calculated values of magnetic moments. The resonance structures for the addimers exhibited signatures of their internal magnetic coupling.     

Mössbauer studies of spin wave excitations in Fe/Ag multilayers

The magnetic properties of molecular beam epitaxially (MBE) grown FE(110)/Ag(111) heterostructures were investigated with Mössbauer spectroscopy. The Fe bilayers were fixed at 3 ML (monolayer) thickness and the Ag bilayer thickness varied from 4 ML to 20 ML. We found that as the Ag layer became thick enough (>17 ML) to magnetically isolate the Fe layers, a quasi-linear temperature dependence of the hyperfine field results due to the 2-D spin wave excitations. As the Ag layer is reduced, a dimensional crossover in the excitations is induced by the magnetic interaction between Fe layers which makesM(T) change from a two-dimensionalT relation to a three-dimensionalT ^3/2 dependence. We constructed a simple theoretical model to motivate the explanation for the experimental results and obtained approximate values for the interlayer coupling strength for various Ag bilayer thicknesses.     

Magnetic hyperfine interactions in GdAl3

We have studied the magnetic hyperfine interactions in GdAl₃ using¹⁵⁵Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy between the temperatures of 4K and 90K. Previous studies on GdAl₃ have shown that antiferromagnetic ordering occurs at 18K, and that a fit of the susceptibility to 1/(T-θ_p) yields a θ_p value of ?89K. The large ratio of θ_p to T_N is indicative of magnetic frustration between competing ferro-and antiferromagnetic interactions, which may be due to a combination of the oscillatory nature of the RKKY interaction and the geometry of the hexagonal lattice. Our studies show that the saturation magnetic hyperfine field at the Gd site is ?24.0 T, with the moments lying in the basal plane. The efg at the gadolinium site is 2.55(1)×10¹⁷V cm^?2 which is considerably larger than the value predicted by a point charge calculation. This difference may indicate that there is a conduction electron contribution. A helical magnetic structure has been calculated from RKKY theory.     

Anisotropy of the oscillatory exchange coupling in magnetic multilayers

We discuss the influence of quantum-well effect on the anisotropy and oscillation period of the RKKY interaction in magnetic multilayers. Taking into account local strains we have calculated the magnetoelastic contribution to the effective coupling.