Abstract
We have theoretically investigated the atomic structure, magnetic behaviour, and electronic properties of Mn adsorbates on hydrogen passivated self-organised Bi nanolines on the Si(0
0
1)surface. It is found that the most stable geometry for
1
6
monolayer (ML) coverage of Mn is just underneath the first Si(0
0
1) surface layer. The Mn atoms in the optimised configuration are seven-fold coordinated with their neighbouring Si atoms. Total energy calculations suggest that the Mn adsorbates form a degenerate state of ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic lines parallel and adjacent to the self-assembled Bi lines. The density functional band structure calculation within the local-spin density approximation shows that the ferromagnetic system behaves like a metal in both spin channels. On the other side, the anti-ferromagnetic phase exhibits a half-metallic phenomenon with semiconducting character for the majority spin channel and semi-metallic character for the minority spin channel.