Nadine Hauptmann: Sensing noncollinear magnetism at the atomic scale: Towards novel 2D material systems

Nanoelectronic devices continue to approach the atomic scale. The ultimate goal of magnetic-based storage is to create ultra-high density memory based on energy-efficient manipulation of the remnant magnetization state of nanomagnets, such as skyrmions. Therefore, it is important to have suitable methods to detect structural, chemical, electronic, and magnetic properties with atomic-scale resolution. Spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) is the most routinely used method to characterize nanomagnets on surfaces, but it poses limitations that can unintentionally reverse the magnetization, and convolute the magnetic, electronic, and structural properties.

We have developed a new combination of high-resolution magnetic detection utilizing SP-STM together with sensing magnetic exchange interactions (for short called SPEX) to account for the limitations mentioned above. In my talk I will address several noncollinear magnetic structures within single-atom thin films. I will demonstrate (i) atomic-scale magnetic imaging of a spin spiral, (ii) detection of different magnetic exchange regimes, as well as (iii) decomposition of geometric and electronic/magnetic structure. I will further illustrate my vision of using SPEX for characterization and designing new 2D material systems, which are currently hot research topics owing to their high potential for energy-efficient spintronic and nanoscale electronic devices