Magnetic clusters as efficient EY-like spin-scattering centres in graphene

Abstract

The spin scattering induced by magnetic adsorbates on graphene was studied using a combination of transport measurements on a graphene field effect transistor decorated with atomically precise nickel clusters and first principles calculations. A comparative study before and after deposition of Ni₄ clusters unambiguously corroborated the contribution of the added scatterers. An investigation of the spin scattering parameters as a function of the applied voltage indicated a cluster-induced Elliot–Yafet like spin scattering mechanism. Density functional theory calculations were used in combination with a tight-binding model to quantify the strength of the spin–orbit coupling terms induced by the adsorbed clusters.