A possible approach towards spin-polarized transport through single molecule magnets: Mn12 on Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0)

The possibility to use the Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0) system as a substrate for future spin-polarized transport measurements on Mn12 single molecule magnets has been investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at room temperature. In particular, the stability of the iron layer during a wet chemical preparation of Mn12 monolayers was studied. The results demonstrate that Mn12 can be deposited on Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0) while preserving the metallic nature of the ferromagnetic iron layer which is required as a possible source of spin-polarized electrons in future studies.

Graphical abstractMn12 single molecule magnets have been deposited on a Au/Fe/MgO layer system. The results represent the first deposition of Mn12 molecules on Au(1 0 0) and provide evidence that the iron layer is not oxidized during the wet chemical preparation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide