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Correlation-mediated processes for electron-induced switching between Néel states of Fe antiferromagnetic chains
Jean-Pierre Gauyacq1, Simeón Moisés Yaro, Xavier Cartoixà
1Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay, ISMO, Unité mixte CNRS-Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8214, Bâtiment 351, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay CEDEX, France.
Abstract:
The controlled switching between two quasistable Néel states in adsorbed antiferromagnetic Fe chains has recently been achieved by Loth et al. [Science 335, 196 (2012)] using tunneling electrons from an STM tip. In order to rationalize their data, we evaluate the rate of tunneling electron-induced switching between the Néel states. Good agreement is found with the experiment, permitting us to identify three switching mechanisms: (i) low STM voltage direct electron-induced transitions, (ii) intermediate STM voltage switching via spin-wave-like excitation, and (iii) high STM voltage transitions mediated by domain-wall formation. Spin correlations in the antiferromagnetic chains are the switching driving force, leading to a marked chain-size dependence.
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