Spin-PolarisedScanningTunnellingMicroscopyofThin.pptVIP

21/03/2005 Spin-Polarised Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy of Thin Film Cr(001)? Debra Schofield, Chris Bonet, Steve Tear, and Sarah Thompson. Department of Physics, The University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK. Outline Introduction to SP-STM Why study Cr? Sample Preparation Growing Cr(001) Scanning with a W tip Preparing an Fe coated tip Scanning with an Fe coated tip Anything to conclude? 1.1 - Introduction to SP-STM The distance an electron can travel before it spin-flips is long, and depends upon the medium in which the electron is travelling. Spin↑ and spin↓ electrons can be modelled independently. 1.1 - Introduction to SP-STM Spin Polarised STM is analogous to tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR). 1.2 - Introduction to SP-STM In constant current mode the tip has to withdraw/ approach the surface depending on its polarisation to observe the same tunnelling current. 2.1 – Why Study Cr(001)? Chromium is an AFM. bcc structure. Magnetic moment of atoms alternate layer by layer. 2.2 – Why Study Cr(001)? Cr forms ferromagnetic terraces separated by monoatomic steps. Terraces are alternately magnetised in opposite directions. 1.2 - Introduction to SP-STM In constant current mode the tip has to withdraw/ approach the surface depending on its polarisation to observe the same tunnelling current. 2.3 - Why Study Cr(001)? Using a tip of CrO2 a periodic alteration of the measured step height was observed. 2.4 - Why Study Cr(001)? All previous work done on bulk single crystal Cr. Months of repeated cycles of Ar+ bombardment and annealing required. Thin film freshly grown likely to take less time to clean. In-plane magnetisation, used as a pinning layer in magnetic hard disks. Method developed from several sources: R. Bertacco et al. J. Vac. Sci. Technol A, Vol. 16, No. 4, (1998) pp 2277-2280. G. Isella et al. Solid State Comm. Vol. 166 (2000) pp 283-286. Personal communications with F. Almeida, Instituut voor Kern-en Stralingsfysica, KuLeuven, Belgium. (J. Meerssc