Electronic and magnetic structures at surfaces and interfaces, and in nano-scale structures of transition metals

Nakamura, K. (Dept. of Phys. Eng., Mie Univ., Tsu, Japan)

Source: Magnetics Japan, v 3, n 1, 2008, 36-42

Language: Japanese

ISSN: 1880-7208

Publisher: Magnetics Society of Japan, Japan

Abstract: First-principles electronic structure studies, based on density functional theory, play a very important role in explaining and predicting surface and interface magnetism. Here, we review some important surface and interface magnetic phenomena arising from the breaking of symmetry, and then report recent progress made in treating complex noncollinear magnetism by means of several examples: i) spin-orbit induced intra-atomic noncollinear magnetism and the atomically sharp domain walls in FM Fe films, ii) noncollinear magnetic structures at FM/AFM interfaces of NiFe/NiMn and Co/FeMn, and iii) curling spin and orbital structures in the vortex core of an Fe dot, as obtained from the first-principles full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. These results are in good agreement with experiments, and provide new information about magnetic phenomena at surfaces and interfaces, and in nanostructures. (43 refs.)

 terms:  antiferromagnetic materials  -  APW calculations  -  cobalt  -  density functional theory  -  electronic structure  -  ferromagnetic materials  -  interface magnetism  -  interface states  -  iron  -  iron alloys  -  magnetic thin films  -  manganese alloys  -  metallic thin films  -  nanostructured materials  -  nickel alloys  -  spin-orbit interactions  -  surface magnetism  -  surface states