Static corrections versus dynamic correlation effects in the valence band Compton profile spectra of Ni

We compute the Compton profile of Ni using the Local Density Approximation of Density Functional Theory supplemented with electronic correlations treated at different levels. The total/magnetic Compton profiles show not only quantitative but also qualitative significant differences depending weather Hubbard corrections are treated at a mean field +U or in a more sophisticated dynamic way. Our aim is to discuss the range and capability of electronic correlations to modify the kinetic energy along specific spatial directions. The second and the fourth order moments of the difference in the Compton profiles are discussed as a function of the strength of local Coulomb interaction $U$.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figs., submitted to PR

Trends in the magnetic properties of Fe, Co and Ni clusters and monolayers on Ir(111), Pt(111) and Au(111)

We present a detailed theoretical investigation on the magnetic properties of small single-layered Fe, Co and Ni clusters deposited on Ir(111), Pt(111) and Au(111). For this a fully relativistic {\em ab-initio} scheme based on density functional theory has been used. We analyse the element, size and geometry specific variations of the atomic magnetic moments and their mutual exchange interactions as well as the magnetic anisotropy energy in these systems. Our results show that the atomic spin magnetic moments in the Fe and Co clusters decrease almost linearly with coordination on all three substrates, while the corresponding orbital magnetic moments appear to be much more sensitive to the local atomic environment. The isotropic exchange interaction among the cluster atoms is always very strong for Fe and Co exceeding the values for bulk bcc Fe and hcp Co, whereas the anisotropic Dzyaloshinski-Moriya interaction is in general one or two orders of magnitude smaller when compared to the isotropic one. For the magnetic properties of Ni clusters the magnetic properties can show quite a different behaviour and we find in this case a strong tendency towards noncollinear magnetism

Ultrafast spin polarization control of Dirac fermions in topological insulators

Three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) are characterized by spin-polarized Dirac-cone surface states that are protected from backscattering by time-reversal symmetry. Control of the spin polarization of topological surface states (TSSs) using femtosecond light pulses opens novel perspectives for the generation and manipulation of dissipationless surface spin currents on ultrafast timescales. Using time-, spin-, and angle-resolved spectroscopy, we directly monitor for the first time the ultrafast response of the spin polarization of photoexcited TSSs to circularly-polarized femtosecond pulses of infrared light. We achieve all-optical switching of the transient out-of-plane spin polarization, which relaxes in about 1.2 ps. Our observations establish the feasibility of ultrafast optical control of spin-polarized Dirac fermions in TIs and pave the way for novel optospintronic applications at ultimate speeds.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Monitoring surface resonances on Co2MnSi(100) by spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

The magnitude of the spin polarization at the Fermi level of ferromagnetic materials at room temperature is a key property for spintronics. Investigating the Heusler compound Co$_2$MnSi a value of 93$\%$ for the spin polarization has been observed at room temperature, where the high spin polarization is related to a stable surface resonance in the majority band extending deep into the bulk. In particular, we identified in our spectroscopical analysis that this surface resonance is embedded in the bulk continuum with a strong coupling to the majority bulk states. The resonance behaves very bulk-like, as it extends over the first six atomic layers of the corresponding (001)-surface. Our study includes experimental investigations, where the bulk electronic structure as well as surface-related features have been investigated using spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (SR-UPS) and for a larger probing depth spin-integrated high energy x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES). The results are interpreted in comparison with first-principles band structure and photoemission calculations which consider all relativistic, surface and high-energy effects properly.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, Heusler alloy, electronic structure and photoemissio