arXiv subjects

Werner A. Hofer

Publications and source records attributed to Werner A. Hofer.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Tunable giant magnetoresistance in a single-molecule junction

Controlling electronic transport through a single-molecule junction is crucial for molecular electronics or spintronics. In magnetic molecular devices, the spin degree-of-freedom can be used to this end since the magnetic properties of the magnetic ion centers fundamentally impact the transport through the molecules. Here we demonstrate that the electron pathway in a single-molecule device can be selected between two molecular orbitals by varying a magnetic field, giving rise to a tunable anisotropic magnetoresistance up to 93%. The unique tunability of the electron pathways is due to the magnetic reorientation of the transition metal center, resulting in a re-hybridization of molecular orbitals. We obtain the tunneling electron pathways by Kondo effect, which manifests either as a peak or a dip line shape. The energy changes of these spin-reorientations are remarkably low and less than one millielectronvolt. The large tunable anisotropic magnetoresistance could be used to control electronic transport in molecular spintronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Reversible Single Spin Control of Individual Magnetic Molecule by Hydrogen Atom Adsorption

The reversible control of a single spin of an atom or a molecule is of great interest in Kondo physics and a potential application in spin based electronics.Here we demonstrate that the Kondo resonance of manganese phthalocyanine molecules on an Au(111) substrate have been reversibly switched off and on via a robust route through attachment and detachment of single hydrogen atom to the magnetic core of the molecule. As further revealed by density functional theory calculations, even though the total number of electrons of the Mn ion remains almost the same in the process, gaining one single hydrogen atom leads to redistribution of charges within 3d orbitals with a reduction of the molecular spin state from S = 3/2 to S = 1 that directly contributes to the Kondo resonance disappearance. This process is reversed by a local voltage pulse or thermal annealing to desorb the hydrogen atom.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Revealing the Atomic Site-Dependent g Factor within a Single Magnetic Molecule via the Extended Kondo Effect

The site-dependent g factor of a single magnetic molecule, with intramolecular resolution, is demonstrated for the first time by low-temperature, high-magnetic-field scanning tunneling microscopy of dehydrogenated Mn-phthalocyanine molecules on Au(111). This is achieved by exploring the magneticfield dependence of the extended Kondo effect at different atomic sites of the molecule. Importantly, an inhomogeneous distribution of the g factor inside a single molecule is revealed. Our results open up a new route to access local spin properties within a single molecule.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Solving the dark matter problem through dynamic interactions

Owing to the renewed interest in dark matter after the upgrade of the large hadron collider and its dedication to dark matter research it is timely to reassess the whole problem. Considering dark matter is one way to reconcile the discrepancy between the velocity of matter in the outer regions of galaxies and the observed galactic mass. So far, no credible candidate for dark matter has been identified. Here, we develop a model accounting for observations by rotations and interactions between rotating objects analogous to magnetic fields and interactions with moving charges. The magnitude of these fields is described by a fundamental constant of the order 10-41kg-1. The same interactions can be observed in the solar system where they lead to small changes in planetary orbits.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

Spatial Imaging of Landé g Factor through Extended Kondo Effect in a Single Magnetic Molecule

A methodology of atomically resolved Landé g factor mapping of a single molecule is reported. Mn(II)-phthalocyanine (MnPc) molecules on Au(111) surface can be dehydrogenated via atomic manipulation with manifestation of tailored extended Kondo effect, which can allow atomically resolved imaging of the Landé g factor inside a molecule for the first time. By employing dehydrogenated MnPc molecules with removal of six H atoms (-6H-MnPc) as an example, Landé g factor of atomic constituents of the molecule can be obtained, therefore offering a unique g factor mapping of single molecule. Our results open up a new avenue to access local spin texture of a single molecule.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Quantum mechanics: A new chapter?

We review the conceptual problems in quantum mechanics on a fundamental level. It is shown that the proposed model of extended electrons and a clear understanding of rotations in three dimensional space solve a large part of these problems, in particular the problems related to the ontological status and physical meaning of wavefunctions. It also solves the problem of non-locality. The experimental results obtained in Yves Couder's group and theoretical results by Gerdard Grössing indicate that the wave-like distribution of trajectories of electrons in interference experiments are most likely due to the quantized interactions leading to a discrete set of transferred momenta. A separate experimental confirmation of this interpretation for double-slit interferometry of photons has been given by the group of Steinberg.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Solving the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen puzzle: the origin of non-locality in Aspect-type experiments

So far no mechanism is known, which could connect the two measurements in an Aspect-type experiment. Here, we suggest such a mechanism, based on the phase of a photon's field during propagation. We show that two polarization measurements are correlated, even if no signal passes from one point of measurement to the other. The non-local connection of a photon pair is the result of its origin at a common source, where the two fields acquire a well defined phase difference. Therefore, it is not actually a non-local effect in any conventional sense. We expect that the model and the detailed analysis it allows will have a major impact on quantum cryptography and quantum computation.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2012

Simulation of spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy on complex magnetic surfaces: Case of a Cr monolayer on Ag(111)

We propose a computationally efficient atom-superposition-based method for simulating spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy (SP-STS) on complex magnetic surfaces based on the sample and tip electronic structures obtained from first principles. We go beyond the commonly used local density of states (LDOS) approximation for the differential conductance, dI/dV. The capabilities of our approach are illustrated for a Cr monolayer on a Ag(111) surface in a noncollinear magnetic state. We find evidence that the simulated tunneling spectra and magnetic asymmetries are sensitive to the tip electronic structure, and we analyze the contributing terms. Related to SP-STS experiments, we show a way to simulate two-dimensional differential conductance maps and qualitatively correct effective spin polarization maps on a constant current contour above a magnetic surface.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

Simulation of spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy on complex magnetic surfaces: Case of a Cr monolayer on Ag(111)

We propose an atom-superposition-based method for simulating spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) from first principles. Our approach provides bias dependent STM images in high spatial resolution, with the capability of using either constant current or constant height modes of STM. In addition, topographic and magnetic contributions can clearly be distinguished, which are directly comparable to results of SP-STM experiments in the differential magnetic mode. Advantages of the proposed method are that it is computationally cheap, it is easy to parallelize, and it can employ the results of any ab initio electronic structure code. Its capabilities are illustrated for the prototype frustrated hexagonal antiferromagnetic system, Cr monolayer on Ag(111) in a noncollinear magnetic $120^{\circ}$ Néel state. We show evidence that the magnetic contrast is sensitive to the tip electronic structure, and this contrast can be reversed depending on the bias voltage.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

Solving the Einstein-Podolksy-Rosen puzzle: a possible origin of non-locality

So far no mechanism is known, which could connect the two measurements in a Bell-type experiment with a speed beyond the speed of light, commonly considered the ultimate limit of propagation of any field-like interaction. Here, we suggest such a mechanism, based on the phase of a photon field during its propagation. We show that two measurements, corresponding to two independent rotations of the fields, are connected, even if no signal passes from one point of measurement to the other. The non-local connection of a photon pair is the result of its origin at a common source, where the two fields acquire a well defined phase difference. Therefore, it is not actually a non-local effect in any conventional sense.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2011

Theoretical study of the role of the tip in enhancing the sensitivity of differential conductance tunneling spectroscopy on magnetic surfaces

Based on a simple model for spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy (SP-STS) we study how tip magnetization and electronic structure affects the differential conductance (dI/dV) tunneling spectrum of an Fe(001) surface. We take into account energy dependence of the vacuum decay of electron states, and tip electronic structure either using an ideal model or based on ab initio electronic structure calculation. In the STS approach, topographic and magnetic contributions to dI/dV can clearly be distinguished and analyzed separately. Our results suggest that the sensitivity of STS on a magnetic sample can be tuned and even enhanced by choosing the appropriate magnetic tip and bias setpoint, and the effect is governed by the effective spin-polarization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Unconventional approach to orbital-free density functional theory derived from a model of extended electrons

An equation proposed by Levy, Perdew and Sahni in 1984 [PRA 30, 2745 (1984)] is an orbital--free formulation of density functional theory. However, this equation describes a bosonic system. Here, we analyze on a very fundamental level, how this equation could be extended to yield a formulation for a general fermionic distribution of charge and spin. This analysis starts at the level of single electrons and with the question, how spin actually comes into a charge distribution in a non-relativistic model. To this end we present a space-time model of extended electrons, which is formulated in terms of geometric algebra. Wave properties of the electron are referred to mass density oscillations. We provide a comprehensive and non-statistical interpretation of wavefunctions, referring them to mass density components and internal field components. It is shown that these wavefunctions comply with the Schrödinger equation, for the free electron as well as for the electron in electrostatic and vector potentials. Spin-properties of the electron are referred to intrinsic field components and it is established that a measurement of spin in an external field yields exactly two possible results. The model agrees with the results of standard theory concerning the hydrogen atom. Finally, we analyze many-electron systems and derive a set of coupled equations suitable to characterize the system without any reference to single electron states. The model is expected to have the greatest impact in condensed matter theory, where it allows to describe an $N$-electron system by a many-electron wavefunction $Ψ$ of four, instead of 3N variables. The many-body aspect of a system is in this case encoded in a bivector potential.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Non-linear density functional theory: A direct method to calculate many-electron charge densities

We suggest to include the density of electron charge explicitly in the electron potential of density functional theory, rather than implicitly via exchange-correlation functionals. The advantages of the approach are conceptual and numerical. Conceptually, it allows to formulate a physical principle for the development of quantum mechanical systems: it is the principle of energetic equilibrium, because the energy principle, in this case, applies not only globally, but also on a local level. The method is an order-$N$ method, scaling linearly with the number of atoms. It is used to calculate the electronic groundstate of a metallic surface, where we find good agreement with experimental values.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Electron scattering in atomic force microscopy experiments

It has been shown that electron transitions, as measured in a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM), are related to chemical interactions in a tunnelling barrier. Here, we show that the shape and apparent height of subatomic features in an atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiment on Si(111) depend directly on the available electron states of the silicon surface and the silicon AFM tip. Simulations and experiments confirm that forces and currents show similar subatomic variations for tip-sample distances approaching the bulk bonding length.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗