%0 Journal Article
%A Rütten, Lisa M.
%A Liebhaber, Eva
%A Reecht, Gaël
%A Rossnagel, Kai
%A Franke, Katharina J.
%T Direct signatures of d-level hybridization and dimerization in magnetic adatom chains on a superconductor
%J Nanoscale
%V 17
%N 46
%@ 2040-3364
%C Cambridge
%I RSC Publ.
%M PUBDB-2025-05265
%P 26811 - 26819
%D 2025
%Z cc-by
%X Magnetic adatom chains on superconductors provide a platform to explore correlated spin states and emergent quantum phases. Using low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we study the distance-dependent interaction between Fe atoms on 2H-NbSe2. While single atoms exhibit four Yu–Shiba–Rusinov states and partially occupied d levels consistent with a S = 2 spin state, the spin is quenched when two Fe atoms reside in nearest-neighbor lattice sites, where the d levels of the atoms hybridize. The non-magnetic dimer configuration is stable in that dimerization persists in chains with weak interactions among the dimers. Thus, the spin-state quenching has important implications also for Fe chains. While even-numbered chains are stable and non-magnetic, odd-numbered chains host a single magnetic atom at one of the chain's ends, with its position being switchable by voltage pulses. Our findings emphasize the role of interatomic coupling in shaping quantum ground states.
%F PUB:(DE-HGF)16
%9 Journal Article
%R 10.1039/D5NR03194J
%U https://bib-pubdb1.desy.de/record/641978