A perspective on surface-adsorbed single atom magnets as atomic-scale magnetic memory
- 18 October 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by AIP Publishing in Applied Physics Letters
- Vol. 119 (16), 160503
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0070483
Abstract
Downscaling single magnetic bits to the ultimate size of individual atoms would open the possibility to maximize the magnetic storage density on a solid surface. However, realizing stable magnets of the size of one atom remained an elusive challenge for more than a decade. Recent advances show that single lanthanide atoms on suitable surfaces can preserve their magnetization on a timescale of days at a temperature of 1 K or below. Such properties enable the use of these atoms as stable magnets for low temperature experiments, opening a platform for testing magnetic recording techniques at the atomic scale. In this article, we describe the single atom magnets that have been investigated and the methods employed to address their magnetic properties. We will discuss the limitations of the present systems and techniques and identify the challenges to close the gap toward potential future technological applications.Funding Information
- Institute of Basic Science, Korea (IBS319 R027-D1)
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