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Single spin localization and manipulation in graphene open-shell nanostructures

Author

Listed:
  • Jingcheng Li

    (CIC nanoGUNE)

  • Sofia Sanz

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC))

  • Martina Corso

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)
    Centro de Física de Materiales CFM/MPC (CSIC-UPV/EHU))

  • Deung Jang Choi

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)
    Centro de Física de Materiales CFM/MPC (CSIC-UPV/EHU)
    Basque Foundation for Science)

  • Diego Peña

    (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela)

  • Thomas Frederiksen

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)
    Basque Foundation for Science)

  • Jose Ignacio Pascual

    (CIC nanoGUNE
    Basque Foundation for Science)

Abstract

Turning graphene magnetic is a promising challenge to make it an active material for spintronics. Predictions state that graphene structures with specific shapes can spontaneously develop magnetism driven by Coulomb repulsion of π-electrons, but its experimental verification is demanding. Here, we report on the observation and manipulation of individual magnetic moments in graphene open-shell nanostructures on a gold surface. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we detect the presence of single electron spins localized around certain zigzag sites of the carbon backbone via the Kondo effect. We find near-by spins coupled into a singlet ground state and quantify their exchange interaction via singlet-triplet inelastic electron excitations. Theoretical simulations picture how electron correlations result in spin-polarized radical states with the experimentally observed spatial distributions. Extra hydrogen atoms bound to radical sites quench their magnetic moment and switch the spin of the nanostructure in half-integer amounts. Our work demonstrates the intrinsic π-paramagnetism of graphene nanostructures.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingcheng Li & Sofia Sanz & Martina Corso & Deung Jang Choi & Diego Peña & Thomas Frederiksen & Jose Ignacio Pascual, 2019. "Single spin localization and manipulation in graphene open-shell nanostructures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-08060-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08060-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Jens Brede & Nestor Merino-Díez & Alejandro Berdonces-Layunta & Sofía Sanz & Amelia Domínguez-Celorrio & Jorge Lobo-Checa & Manuel Vilas-Varela & Diego Peña & Thomas Frederiksen & José I. Pascual & Di, 2023. "Detecting the spin-polarization of edge states in graphene nanoribbons," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Qingyang Du & Xuelei Su & Yufeng Liu & Yashi Jiang & Can Li & KaKing Yan & Ricardo Ortiz & Thomas Frederiksen & Shiyong Wang & Ping Yu, 2023. "Orbital-symmetry effects on magnetic exchange in open-shell nanographenes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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