Room Temperature Ferromagnetism in Graphene/SiC(0001) System Intercalated by Fe and Co

 https://doi.org/10.1002/pssr.202300336

The utilization of graphene on silicon carbide (SiC) substrates holds substantial promise for advancements in spintronics and nanoelectronics. Furthermore, incorporating magnetic metals provides an optimal framework for probing fundamental physical phenomena. The approach to developing such systems is in situ intercalation of graphene with magnetic metals. Herein, the electronic structure is analyzed and the magnetic properties of the system are synthesized by the thermal decomposition of 6H-SiC(0001) surface and subsequent intercalation of graphene with cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe) atoms. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction are employed to control the synthesis and metal intercalation processes. The morphological characteristics of the synthesized system are studied by means of atomic force microscopy. The findings derived from magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements reveal a homogeneous ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy is used to ascertain the impact of intercalation on graphene's electronic structure. The results of this study are essential for the development of graphene-based spintronics and nanoelectronic devices as well as for fundamental studies in magnetic graphene systems.