Spin-resolved electronic structure of nanoscale cobalt islands on Cu(111).
Using spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we reveal how the standing wave patterns of confined surface state electrons on top of nanometer-scale ferromagnetic Co islands on Cu(111) are affected by the spin character of the responsible state, thus experimentally confirming a very recent theoretical result. Furthermore, at the rim of the islands a spin-polarized state is found giving rise to enhanced zero bias conductance. Its polarization is opposite to that of the islands. The experimental findings are in accordance with ab initio spin-density calculations.
Pietzsch
O
O
Institute of Applied Physics, University of Hamburg, Jungiusstrasse 11, D-20355 Hamburg, Germany.
Okatov
S
S
Kubetzka
A
A
Bode
M
M
Heinze
S
S
Lichtenstein
A
A
Wiesendanger
R
R