Tweezer-like magnetic tip control of the local spin state in the FeOEP/Pb(111) adsorption system: a preliminary exploration based on first-principles calculations

Abstract

The magnetic interactions between the spin-polarized scanning tunnelling microscopy (SP-STM) tip and the localized spin impurities lead to various forms of the Kondo effect. Although these intriguing phenomena enrich Kondo physics, detailed theoretical simulations and explanations are still lacking due to the rather complex formation mechanisms. Here, by combining density functional theory (DFT), complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) theory, and hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) methods, we perform first-principles-based simulation to elaborate the regulation process of the magnetic Co-tip on the spin state and transport behaviour of FeOEP/Pb(111) system. Compared with the non-magnetic tip, the stronger interaction between the magnetic tip and FeOEP molecule results in a more drastic deformation of the molecular structure with more electron transfer from the local environment to Fe-3d orbitals. The magnetic anisotropy of FeOEP changes very drastically from positive values in the tunnelling region to negative values in the contact region. The ferromagnetic electron correlation between the magnetic tip and the molecule induces an asymmetric Kondo line-shape near the Fermi level. This work highlights that the DFT + CASSCF + HEOM approach can not only predict complex quantum phenomena and explain underlying physical mechanisms, but also facilitate the design of more fascinating quantum control experiments.