Hyperfine interaction of individual atoms on a surface

Journal article

Taking advantage of nuclear spins for electronic structure analysis, magnetic resonance imaging, and quantum devices hinges on knowledge and control of the surrounding atomic-scale environment. We measured and manipulated the hyperfine interaction of individual iron and titanium atoms placed on a magnesium oxide surface by using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy in combination with single-atom electron spin resonance. Using atom manipulation to move single atoms, we found that the hyperfine interaction strongly depended on the binding configuration of the atom. We could extract atom- and position-dependent information about the electronic ground state, the state mixing with neighboring atoms, and properties of the nuclear spin. Thus, the hyperfine spectrum becomes a powerful probe of the chemical environment of individual atoms and nanostructures.

Authors: Willke, P; Bae, Y; Yang, K; Lado, J; Ferron, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Journal: Science
• Volume: 362
• Issue: 6412
• Pages: 336-339
• Publication date: 2018-10-19
• Acceptance date: 2018-08-15
• DOI: 10.1126/science.aat7047
• EISSN: 1095-9203
• ISSN: 0036-8075