Characterization of tips for spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract

We propose a conclusive characterization of the magnetic configuration of tips for spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy studies. We show that both careful tip preparation and characterization by tunneling spectroscopy need to be augmented by in-field measurements to ensure a reliable analysis of a magnetic contrast in spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy studies.

A complex magnetic structure of ultrathin Fe films on Rh (001) surfaces

“…STM, SP-STM, and MOKE measurements were carried out mainly at 5 K. Wedge-shaped Fe films were fabricated for LEED and MOKE measurements. Our SP-STM experiments were performed using Cr-coated W (Cr/W) tips and Fe-coated W (Fe/W) tips which are claimed to be sensitive to the magnetization perpendicular and parallel to the sample plane [3,[13][14][15], respectively. A W tip was flashed at a temperature above 2000 K. Cr and Fe films with a thickness of approximately 30 ML and 4 ML, respectively, were deposited onto the W tip at room temperature.…”

“…For easier comparison, the red line is shifted laterally along [1 10] by half the symmetry period with respect to the blue line. Since a Cr/W tip is claimed to be sensitive to the out-ofplane component of the surface spin configuration [13,14], the periodic oscillation in Fig. 4(d) represents the oscillation of the out-of-plane component of the spin of each Fe atom.…”

Quantum interference effects in molecular spin hybrids

“…In this section the main properties of the Co island are only briefly introduced, since the growth, electronic and magnetic properties of this system have already been intensively investigated before [10][11][12]33,45,[57][58][59][60][61] . Co islands prepared on the Cu(111) surface according to the procedure described in section II A exhibit the typical triangular shape [inset of Co islands on the Cu(111) surface correspond to fcc (unfaulted) or hcp (faulted) stacking of the first Co layer with respect to the stacking of the substrate 35 .…”

Simulation of spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy on complex magnetic surfaces: Case of a Cr monolayer on Ag(111)

“…Furthermore, SP-STS is useful to study atomic magnetism [23], many-body effects on substrate-supported adatoms [24], or magnetic interactions between adatoms [25] as well. The effect of differently magnetized surface regions on SP-STS has also been reported [26,27], and the role of tip effects on SP-STS [28,29] and on achieving giant magnetic contrast [30] have also been highlighted.…”