Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) Nanostructures
Magnetism has recently been observed in nominally nonmagnetic iron disilicide in the form of epitaxial γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub> nanostructures on Si(111) substrate. To explore the origin of the magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) nanostructures, we performed a systematic first-...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/4/849 |
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| author | Liwei D. Geng Sahil Dhoka Ilan Goldfarb Ranjit Pati Yongmei M. Jin |
| author_facet | Liwei D. Geng Sahil Dhoka Ilan Goldfarb Ranjit Pati Yongmei M. Jin |
| author_sort | Liwei D. Geng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Magnetism has recently been observed in nominally nonmagnetic iron disilicide in the form of epitaxial γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub> nanostructures on Si(111) substrate. To explore the origin of the magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) nanostructures, we performed a systematic first-principles study based on density functional theory. Several possible factors, such as epitaxial strain, free surface, interface, and edge, were examined. The calculations show that among these factors, only the edge can lead to the magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) nanostructures. It is shown that magnetism exhibits a strong dependency on the local atomic structure of the edge. Furthermore, magnetism can be enhanced by creating multiple-step edges. In addition, the results also reveal that edge orientation can have a significant effect on magnetism. These findings, thus, provide insights into a strategy to tune the magnetic properties of γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) nanostructures through controlling the structure, population, and orientation of the edges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:52:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24ed86e4a70742cc95903e55cdb77a9c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:52:57Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-24ed86e4a70742cc95903e55cdb77a9c2023-11-21T12:08:25ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912021-03-0111484910.3390/nano11040849Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) NanostructuresLiwei D. Geng0Sahil Dhoka1Ilan Goldfarb2Ranjit Pati3Yongmei M. Jin4Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USADepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USADepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, IsraelDepartment of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USADepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USAMagnetism has recently been observed in nominally nonmagnetic iron disilicide in the form of epitaxial γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub> nanostructures on Si(111) substrate. To explore the origin of the magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) nanostructures, we performed a systematic first-principles study based on density functional theory. Several possible factors, such as epitaxial strain, free surface, interface, and edge, were examined. The calculations show that among these factors, only the edge can lead to the magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) nanostructures. It is shown that magnetism exhibits a strong dependency on the local atomic structure of the edge. Furthermore, magnetism can be enhanced by creating multiple-step edges. In addition, the results also reveal that edge orientation can have a significant effect on magnetism. These findings, thus, provide insights into a strategy to tune the magnetic properties of γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) nanostructures through controlling the structure, population, and orientation of the edges.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/4/849origins of magnetism in nanostructuresdensity functional theorydensity of states |
| spellingShingle | Liwei D. Geng Sahil Dhoka Ilan Goldfarb Ranjit Pati Yongmei M. Jin Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) Nanostructures Nanomaterials origins of magnetism in nanostructures density functional theory density of states |
| title | Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) Nanostructures |
| title_full | Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) Nanostructures |
| title_fullStr | Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) Nanostructures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) Nanostructures |
| title_short | Origin of Magnetism in γ-FeSi<sub>2</sub>/Si(111) Nanostructures |
| title_sort | origin of magnetism in γ fesi sub 2 sub si 111 nanostructures |
| topic | origins of magnetism in nanostructures density functional theory density of states |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/4/849 |
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