Effect of H Adsorption on the Magnetic Properties of an Fe Island on a W(110) Surface

Low-dimensional materials, such as ultrathin films, nanoislands and wires, are actively being researched due to their interesting magnetic properties and possible technological applications for example in high density data storage. Results of calculations of an Fe nanoisland on a W(110) support are presented here with particular focus on the effect of hydrogen adsorption on its magnetic properties. This is an important consideration since hydrogen is present even under ultra-high vacuum conditions. The calculations are based on density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. The adsorption of H atoms is found to strongly decrease the magnetic moment of the Fe atoms they are bound to, down to less than a half in some cases as compared with the clean Fe island. The results show that it may be important to take the presence of hydrogen into account in measurements of magnetic properties of nanoislands.