Abstract:
The joint intercalation of Co and Fe atoms under a graphene buffer layer synthesized on a SiC(0001) single crystal has been studied. Intercalation has been performed by means of the alternating deposition of ultrathin Fe and Co metal films on the substrate heated to 450∘∘ C with the subsequent heating to 600∘∘ C in 15 min. It has been shown that Co and Fe atoms under these conditions are intercalated under graphene, forming compounds with silicon and with each other. The existence of a magnetic order in the system up to room temperature has been demonstrated using a superconducting quantum interferometer. A possible stoichiometry of the formed alloys has been analyzed using data on the shape and magnitude of hysteresis loops. In addition, it has been found that Fe and Co in the system exposed to the atmosphere are not oxidized. Thus, graphene protects the formed system. This study makes contribution to the investigation of graphene in contact with magnetic metals and promotes its application in spintronic and nanoelectronic devices.
This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (project no. 94031444 for St. Petersburg State University) and by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 18-12-00062). I.I. Klimovskikh acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (contract no. 075-02-2021-1316 dated September 30, 2021; Strategic Academic Leadership Program Priority 2030).
Citation:
S. O. Fulnov, D. A. Estyunin, I. I. Klimovskikh, T. P. Makarova, A. V. Koroleva, A. A. Rybkina, R. G. Chumakov, A. M. Lebedev, O. Yu. Vilkov, A. M. Shikin, A. G. Rybkin, “Joint intercalation of ultrathin Fe and Co films under a graphene buffer layer on a SiC(0001) single crystal”, Pis'ma v Zh. Èksper. Teoret. Fiz., 117:5 (2023), 369–376; JETP Letters, 117:5 (2023), 363–369