Au and Cu Atoms on NaCl(001): a single-atom based memory device prototype?

A. S. Martins; A. T. da Costa; P. Venezuela; R. B. Muniz

doi:10.1140/epjb/e2010-90852-6

EPJ

Au and Cu Atoms on NaCl(001): a single-atom based memory device prototype?

A. S. Martins¹^a, A. T. da Costa², P. Venezuela² and R. B. Muniz²

¹ Departamento de Física, Instituto de Ciências Exatas (ICEx), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Des. Ellis Hermydio Figueira 783, CEP 27213-350, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brasil
² Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Av. Gal. Milton Tavares de Souza, s/n - Campus da Praia Vermelha, CEP, 24210-346 Niterói/RJ, Brasil

Received: 3 November 2009
Revised: 16 August 2010
Published online: 21 December 2010

Abstract

We present a first-principle study of gold and copper atoms adsorbed in NaCl(001) surfaces. Motivated by a recent STM experiment on this subject, the electronic and magnetic properties of Au and Cu atoms are investigated, as well as the modifications in these properties under charge injection. Similarities of these systems and the corresponding isolated atom are exploited. A discussion about the possibility of applying the studied systems on high-density memory devices is addressed.