Magnon softening in a ferromagnetic monolayer: A first-principles spin dynamics study

We study the Fe/W(110) monolayer system through a combination of first-principles calculations and atomistic spin dynamics simulations. We focus on the dispersion of the spin-waves parallel to the 001 direction. Our results compare favorably with the experimental data of Prokop et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 177206 (2009) and correctly capture a drastic softening of the magnon spectrum, with respect to bulk bcc Fe. The suggested shortcoming of the itinerant electron model, in particular that given by density functional theory, is refuted. We also demonstrate that finite-temperature effects are significant, and that atomistic spin dynamics simulations represent a powerful tool with which to include these.