Electrically driven magnetism on a Pd thin film

Abstract

Using first-principles density functional calculations we demonstrate that ferromagnetism can be induced and modulated on an otherwise paramagnetic Pd metal thin-film surface through application of an external electric field. As free charges are either accumulated or depleted at the Pd surface to screen the applied electric field there is a corresponding change in the surface density of states. This change can be made sufficient for the Fermi-level density of states to satisfy the Stoner criterion, driving a transition locally at the surface from a paramagnetic state to an itinerant ferromagnetic state above a critical applied electric field, Ec. Furthermore, due to the second-order nature of this transition, the surface magnetization of the ferromagnetic state just above the transition exhibits a substantial dependence on electric field, as the result of an enhanced magnetoelectric susceptibility. Using a linearized Stoner model we explain the occurrence of the itinerant ferromagnetism and demonstrate that the magnetic moment on the Pd surface follows a square-root variation with electric field consistent with our first-principles calculations.

8 pages, 7 figures

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• Strong paramagnon scattering in single atom Pd contacts
• Effect of the change in the interface structure of Pd(100)/SrTiO3 for quantum-well induced ferromagnetism
• Switching of magnetism via modifying phase shift of quantum-well states by tailoring the interface electronic structure
• Spin-polarized currents driven by spin-dependent surface screening
• Appearance of ferromagnetism in Pt(100) ultrathin films originated from quantum-well states
• Ferroelectric tunnel junctions