title: Spin friction observed on the atomic scale.
abstract: With the advent of scanning probe microscopy techniques that involve a tip and a sample in relative motion in the contact or noncontact regime, the microscopic aspects of friction have become a major branch of research called nanotribology. A significant number of recent studies in this field have concentrated on the distinction between electronic and phononic contributions to friction. Here, we are using the combination of spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy and single-atom manipulation in order to move individual magnetic atoms over a magnetic template. By monitoring the spin-resolved manipulation traces and comparing them with results of Monte Carlo simulations, we are able to reveal the characteristic friction force variations resulting from the occurrence of spin friction on the atomic scale.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Physics, University of Hamburg, Jungiusstrasse 11, D-20355 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kubetzka
authors.forename: Saw-Wai
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hla
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: von Bergmann
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiesendanger