Intercalated europium metal in epitaxial graphene on SiC

Abstract

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) reveal the magnetic properties of intercalated europium metal under graphene on SiC(0001). Intercalation of Eu nano-clusters (average size 2.5 nm) between graphene and SiC substate are formed by deposition of Eu on epitaxially grown graphene that is subsequently annealed at various temperatures while keeping the integrity of the graphene layer. Using sum-rules analysis of the XMCD of Eu M${}_{4,5}$ edges at $T=15$ K, our samples show paramagnetic-like behavior with distinct anomaly at T $\approx$ 90 K which may be related to the N{è}el transition, T${}_N$ = 91 K, of bulk metal Eu. We find no evidence of ferromagnetism due to EuO or antiferromagnetism due to Eu${}_2$O${}_3$ indicating that the graphene layer protects the intercalated metallic Eu against oxidation over months of exposure to atmospheric environment.

arXiv comment6 pages, 5 figures

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• In-situ topotactic chemical reaction for spectroscopies
• A ferromagnetic Eu-Pt surface compound grown below hexagonal boron nitride
• Epitaxial Graphene Intercalation: A Route to Graphene Modulation and Unique 2D Materials