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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
09:00
Experimental Methods for Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy Combined with Polarization-Variable Laser
Published on: June 28, 2018
10.4K
Multiorbital Interactions and Spin Polarization in Single Rare-Earth Adatoms
Massine Kelai1,2, Stefano Reale1,2,3, Roberto Robles4
1Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
Physical Review Letters
|September 22, 2025
Summary
Researchers quantified rare-earth atom interactions on surfaces using advanced X-ray spectroscopy. This method precisely measures orbital properties and magnetic coupling in nanostructures, advancing surface science.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Atomic Physics
Background:
- Rare-earth nanostructures offer unique platforms for studying atomic interactions and spin configurations.
- Experimental and theoretical investigation of these properties presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify Coulomb integrals and orbital occupations of neodymium (Nd) atoms on conductive surfaces.
- To investigate the magnetic moments and coupling between 5d and 4f orbitals in surface-adsorbed Nd.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the orbital selectivity of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) to determine Coulomb integrals and orbital occupations.
- Employed X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) to identify magnetic moments and their coupling.
Main Results:
- Successfully quantified Coulomb integrals and orbital variations of Nd atoms during cluster nucleation.
- Identified magnetic moments of 0.1-0.2 Bohr magnetons (μB) at the 5d orbitals.
- Revealed magnetic coupling between 5d orbital moments and 4f spins.
Conclusions:
- Orbital-resolved X-ray spectroscopy is validated as a robust method for quantifying complex multiorbital interactions.
- This approach provides precise insights into the electronic and magnetic properties of surface-adsorbed lanthanides.
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