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Energy Dependent Contrast in Atomic-Scale Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ofMn3N2(010): Experiment and First-Principles Theory

Rong Yang·Haiqiang Yang·Arthur R. Smith·Alexey Dick·Jorg Neugebauer
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Abstract

The technique of spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy is investigated for its use in determining fine details of surface magnetic structure down to the atomic scale. As a model sample, the row-wise anti-ferromagnetic Mn3N2(010) surface is studied. It is shown that the magnetic contrast in atomic-scale images is a strong function of the bias voltage around the Fermi level. Inversion of the magnetic contrast is also demonstrated. The experimental SP-STM images and height profiles are compared with simulated SP-STM images and height profiles based on spin-polarized density functional theory. The success of different tip models in reproducing the non-magnetic and magnetic STM data is explored.

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Rong Yang, Haiqiang Yang, Arthur R. Smith, Alexey Dick, Jorg Neugebauer. 2005-10-06. Energy Dependent Contrast in Atomic-Scale Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ofMn3N2(010): Experiment and First-Principles Theory. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.74.115409

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