Magnetoelectric effect in Fe linear chains on Pt(001)

The effect of an electric field on the magnetic properties of Fe chains on Pt(001) is investigated by first-principle calculations. The calculated magnetic anisotropy of the chains yields a preferential magnetization perpendicular to the surface. We predict a linear change in the Fe magnetic moment as a function of the external electric field, which is due to spin-dependent screening of electrons. In the presence of electric field, we also obtain an enhancement in magnetic anisotropy as well as an orbital-moment anisotropy. The enhancement in magnetic anisotropy is due to a change in the d-electron occupancy of the surface atoms. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.