Surface Magnetism in YCo_2

摘要

Using full-potential electronic structure calculations, we predict that the (111) surface of the cubic Laves phase Pauli paramagnet YCo_2 is ferromagnetic. The magnetism of the (111) surface is independent of the termination of the surface, does not extend beyond two Co layers. YCo_2 appears to be a prominent candidate to demonstrate the phenomenon of surface-induced itinerant magnetism localized in two dimensions. The top Co layer appears to be intrinsically magnetic and it induces niagnetism in the second layer thus causing a meta-magnetic-like transition localized in two dimensions.