title: Information transfer by vector spin chirality in finite magnetic chains.
abstract: Vector spin chirality is one of the fundamental characteristics of complex magnets. For a one-dimensional spin-spiral state it can be interpreted as the handedness, or rotational sense of the spiral. Here, using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, we demonstrate the occurrence of an atomic-scale spin spiral in finite individual bi-atomic Fe chains on the (5×1)-Ir(001) surface. We show that the broken inversion symmetry at the surface promotes one direction of the vector spin chirality, leading to a unique rotational sense of the spiral in all chains. Correspondingly, changes in the spin direction of one chain end can be probed tens of nanometers away, suggesting a new way of transmitting information about the state of magnetic objects on the nanoscale.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Angewandte Physik, Universität Hamburg, Jungiusstr. 11, 20355 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menzel
authors.forename: Yuriy
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mokrousov
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wieser
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bickel
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vedmedenko
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blügel
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heinze
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: von Bergmann
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kubetzka
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiesendanger
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D008280:Magnetics; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007501:Iron