Long range order in 2-D arrays of nanometer-sized Fe islands on CaF2/Si(111) (invited) (abstract)

Abstract

The effective magnetic moment was measured as a function of Fe island size during the initial stages of Fe growth on CaF2/Si(111) in an ultrahigh vacuum scanning electron microscope equipped with an in situ SMOKE analysis chamber. This substrate was selected for its wide bandgap, chemical inertness, viability of integration into an Si based technology and the availability of nanopatterning using electron beams for producing devices. Fe grown at room temperature initially nucleates into a monodisperse distribution of 3-D islands at very high nucleation densities (8×1012/cm2). Increased Fe coverages lead to 2-D island growth. A room temperature superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition occurs as a function of Fe island radius. Mean field and Monte Carlo calculations illustrate that three distinct magnetic phases exist as a function of island diameter. Ferromagnetic order is present at room temperature when r≳3 nm, superparamagnetism is favored when 2 nm < r <3 nm, and a frustrated random antiferromagnetic phase exists when r<2 nm. Further depositions of Ag on superparamagnetic Fe island arrays produce Ag islands which couple the covered Fe island moments in-plane, implying that the Ag mediates the magnetic exchange between individual Fe islands within an Ag island. Implications for 2-D giant magnetoresistance devices will be discussed.