Spin Friction Observed on the Atomic Scale

Abstract

With the advent of scanning probe microscopy techniques that involve a tip and a sample in relative motion in the contact or noncontact regime, the microscopic aspects of friction have become a major branch of research called nanotribology. A significant number of recent studies in this field have concentrated on the distinction between electronic and phononic contributions to friction. Here, we are using the combination of spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy and single-atom manipulation in order to move individual magnetic atoms over a magnetic template. By monitoring the spin-resolved manipulation traces and comparing them with results of MonteCarlo simulations, we are able to reveal the characteristic friction force variations resulting from the occurrence of spin friction on the atomic scale.