A research group led by Professor Tadahiro Komeda at Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University has first succeeded in position determination of spin and scientific analyses at the atomic level at a room temperature by significantly improving a device for scanning tunneling microscope - electron spin resonance spectroscopy (STM – ESR) and its detection accuracy. The research has been conducted as an objective basic research supported by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST.)

Single spin is a basic building block of magnetic materials, and deemed as a micro magnet. As magnetic storage media that are fundamental for information processing have been smaller by improved technologies, single spin has gathered attention. However, a method to precisely detect single spin has not been found. Although ESR has been used as a scientific analysis method of such as observation of radical molecules and electrical state, it has not been possible to detect single spin at the atomic level, and analyze scientifically. Detection sensitivity of spin in the existing method is too weak, and it needs samples of more than 1 billion of molecules.

The research group has succeeded in detection of spin signal at specific locations on its surface that has been measured at the atomic level by improving the device. The group can precisely detect a high frequency signal from tunnel current between samples and a probe. The research results help position determination of single spin at the atomic level, measurement of its frequency at the same time, and analyses of chemical environment differences from the frequency. This method is compatible with solid state component, and those with tunnel junction can be used for spin detection.

The research results will be published in “Applied Physics Letters” (U.S. academic journal) on the Web soon. The paper’s title is _Atomically Resolved Larmor Frequency Detection on Si(111)-7x7 Oxide Surface._

[Contact]
＜About researches＞
Professor Tadahiro Komeda
Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University
Address: 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ward, Sendai, 980-8577 Japan
Tel: +81-22-217-5404, Fax: +81-22-217-5371
E-mail：komeda@tagen.tohoku.ac.jp

＜About JST Project＞
Mr. Katsumi Hirota
Department of Inclusive Research Administration, Innovation Headquarters, Japan Science and Technology Agency
Address: Sanban-cho Building, 5 Sanban-cho Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0075 Japan
Tel: +81-3512-3524, Fax: +81-3512-3531
E-mail：crest@jst.go.jp