title: Three-dimensional mapping of single-atom magnetic anisotropy.
abstract: Magnetic anisotropy plays a key role in the magnetic stability and spin-related quantum phenomena of surface adatoms. It manifests as angular variations of the atom's magnetic properties. We measure the spin excitations of individual Fe atoms on a copper nitride surface with inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy. Using a three-axis vector magnet we rotate the magnetic field and map out the resulting variations of the spin excitations. We quantitatively determine the three-dimensional distribution of the magnetic anisotropy of single Fe atoms by fitting the spin excitation spectra with a spin Hamiltonian. This experiment demonstrates the feasibility of fully mapping the vector magnetic properties of individual spins and characterizing complex three-dimensional magnetic systems.
authors: Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter , 22761 Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Shichao
authors: S
authors: Yan
authors: Deung-Jang
authors: DJ
authors: Choi
authors: Jacob A J
authors: JA
authors: Burgess
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Rolf-Pissarczyk
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Loth
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013113:Spin Labels
chemical_list: D013113:Spin Labels
keywords: inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy; magnetic anisotropy; spin Hamiltonian; vector magnetic field