Discovery of magnetic single- and triple-Q states in Mn/Re(0001) (2003.02210v1)

Abstract: We experimentally verify the existence of two model-type magnetic ground states which were previously predicted but so far unobserved. We find them in Mn monolayers on the Re(0001) surface using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy. For fcc stacking of Mn the collinear row-wise antiferromagnetic state occurs, whereas for hcp Mn a three-dimensional spin structure appears, which is a superposition of three row-wise antiferromagnetic states and is known as triple-Q state. Density functional theory calculations elucidate the subtle interplay of different magnetic interactions to form these spin structures and provide insight into the role played by relativistic effects.