1. Multi-Orbital Interactions and Spin Polarization in Single Rare-Earth Adatoms
- Author
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Kelai, Massine, Reale, Stefano, Robles, Roberto, Lee, Jaehyun, Jyoti, Divya, Ohresser, Philippe, Otero, Edwige, Choueikani, Fadi, Scheurer, Fabrice, Lorente, Nicolás, Choi, Deung-Jang, Singha, Aparajita, and Donati, Fabio
- Subjects
Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics - Abstract
Surface-adsorbed rare-earth nanostructures are ideal platforms to investigate the interplay between intra-atomic interactions and multi-orbital spin configurations. However, addressing these properties has posed severe experimental and theoretical challenges. Here, we use the orbital selectivity offered by X-ray absorption spectroscopy to quantify the Coulomb integrals of Nd atoms on conductive surfaces, as well as the variation of individual orbital occupation upon cluster nucleation. Using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism we identify magnetic moments of the order of \MK{few tens of}~$\mu_{\rm{B}}$ at the $5d$ orbitals and their magnetic coupling with the $4f$ spins. Our results validate orbital-resolved X-ray spectroscopy as a reliable method for quantifying complex multi-orbital interactions in surface-adsorbed lanthanides.
- Published
- 2024