Giant magneto-optical Faraday effect of graphene on Co in the soft x-ray range

• Using polarization analysis of linearly polarized synchrotron radiation we demonstrate the existence of a giant magneto-optical Faraday effect at the carbon 1s edge of single-layer graphene on Co, reaching Faraday rotation angles of 2.9 x 10(5)deg/mm. This value is of the order of those observed at the Co 3p and 2p edges. Using element-selective magnetic hysteresis curves we find that graphene on Co exhibits ferromagnetic order. The magnetism in graphene is found to be carried by and be strongly enhanced by aligned n orbitals of carbon atoms. It is induced by hybridization with the Co 3d(z)2 orbitals while carbon a bonds show negligible magnetism due to insignificant hybridization with Co. From additional x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and transversal magneto-optical Kerr effect spectra a magnetic moment of 0.14 mu(B) is estimated for graphene. From Faraday spectra the complete set of x-ray magneto-optical constants of graphene has been deduced which allows for future modeling of magneto-optical devices based on graphene. The strong magnetism in graphene results from hybridization of carbon p(z) and metal 3d orbitals. Atoms of the graphene sublattice A, placed on top of Co, lead to strongest hybridization with Co 3d(z)( )(2)orbitals. Carbon atoms of sublattice B, and those of rotated graphene domains without Co atoms beneath, hybridize with each other and with 3d(xy) and 3d(yz) orbitals of neighboring Co atoms forming tilted p(z) bonds. We show that the related reduction of A-B symmetry leads to a splitting of the spin-polarized density of conduction-band states which is responsible for the strong magneto-optical Faraday effect.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

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