An orbitally derived single-atom magnetic memory

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06337-4
• Publication Date: 2018-09-19T11:03:45Z
• Authors: Brian Kiraly; Alexander N. Rudenko; Werner M. J. van ...; Daniel Wegner; Mikhail I. Katsne...; Alexander A. Khaj...
• Keywords: Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics; Scanning Probe Microscopy; Theory of Condensed Matter; Science; Q; Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall); FOS: Physical sciences; Article

Abstract A magnetic atom epitomizes the scaling limit for information storage. Individual atomic spins have recently exhibited remanence, a requirement memory. However, such memory has been only realized on thin insulating surfaces, removing potential tunability via electronic gating or exchange-driven coupling. Here, we show previously unobserved mechanism single-atom storage based bistability in orbital population, so-called valency, of an individual Co semiconducting black phosphorus (BP). Ab initio calculations reveal that distance-dependent screening from BP surface stabilizes two distinct valencies, each with unique total moment, and spatial charge density. Excellent correspondence between measured predicted densities configurations can be accessed manipulated without spin-sensitive readout mechanism. This derives stability energetic barrier to relaxation, demonstrating high-temperature