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Frustrated magnetism in Mn films on Ag(111) surface: From chiral in-plane Néel state to row-wise antiferromagnetism

Selcuk Sözeri1,2, Nihad Abuawwad1,2, Amal Aldarawsheh1,2, and Samir Lounis1,2,3

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Phys. Rev. B 113, 104415 – Published 10 March, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/twpb-shbv

Abstract

We conduct a comprehensive density functional theory study to explore the intricate magnetic properties of frustrated Mn monolayer on the Ag(111) surface. Spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy demonstrates that a Néel magnetic state characterizes such an interface, which contradicts systematic ab initio predictions made in the last two decades indicating that the ground state is collinear row-wise antiferromagnetic (RW-AFM) state. Here, we employ the all-electron full-potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green's function method and find that the ground state is a chiral magnetic Néel state, with magnetic moments rotating in the surface plane following a unique sense of rotation, as dictated by the underlying in-plane magnetic anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Changing the stacking of the Mn monolayer from fcc to hcp switches the chiral nature of the Néel state. Once allowing disordered magnetic states, as described within the disordered local moment approach, we reveal the possibility of stabilization of a RW-AFM state. We conjecture that at low temperatures, the chiral Néel state prevails, while at higher temperatures, the magnetic exchange interactions are modified by magnetic disorder, which can then induce a transition towards a RW-AFM state. Our work addresses a long-term experimental-theoretical controversy and provides significant insights into the magnetic interactions and stability of Mn films on noble metal substrates, contributing to the broader understanding of the different magnetic facets of frustrated magnetism in thin films.

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Phys. Rev. B 113, 104415– Published 10 March, 2026
  • Received 19 December 2024
  • Accepted 15 December 2025
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