Dy adatom on MgO(001) substrate: DFT+U(HIA) study

Abstract

The electronic structure and magnetism of individual Dy atom adsorbed on the MgO(001) substrate is investigated using the combination of the density functional theory with the Hubbard-I approximation to the Anderson impurity model (DFT+U(HIA)). The divalent Dy${}^{2+}$ adatom in $f^{10}$ configuration is found. The calculated x-ray absorption (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectra are compared to the experimental data. Quantum tunneling between degenerate $|J=8.0,J_z=\pm 4.0>$ states leads to formation of $|J=8.0,J_z=0.0>$ ground state with an in-plane orientation of the magnetic moment. It explains absence of remanent magnetization in MgO adatom on the top of Mg(001) substrate. Our studies can provide a viable route for further investigation and prediction of the rare-earth single atom magnets.

6 pages, 5 figures