Ferromagnetic clusters on surfaces: correlation of structural, electronic and magnetic properties probed by STM and SP-STS

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Mathias Getzlaff
• Subject Area: Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2003 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5405503

This project within the Priority Programm 1153 focusses on the determination of structure and electronic properties of individual clusters on surfaces realized by highest lateral resolution using an STM. They are prepared by a source generating a jet of size-selected nanoparticles which are deposited in ultra-high vacuum. The extremely high lateral resolution down to the atomic scale allows a characterization of individual clusters, not only of ensembles as with laterally averaging methods. This will enable the determination of size-dependent properties with high precision. The preparation of a "perfectly" size selected cluster beam allows the determination of the volume regarding the knowledge of the lattice constant. But, the shape and thus the surfaceto-volume ratio, properties which significantly determine electronic and magnetic behavior, are often already unknown for free clusters. This behavior becomes even more important for the system cluster on a surface where the interaction of the metallic cluster with the metallic surface have a significant influence on shape, electronic, and magnetic properties. The investigation with a method allowing the determination of structure, shape, and electronic behavior of single individual clusters will therefore be of great relevance for the understanding of cluster properties.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1153: Clusters at Surfaces: Electron Structure and Magnetism