Strongly enhanced 2D magnetism at surfaces and interfaces (invited)

The study of magnetism in low-dimensional systems has entered a new phase thanks to (i) the advent of sophisticated synthesis and characterization techniques and (ii) the development of highly precise theoretical methods. We describe recent developments and applications of an all-electron total energy local spin density approach for determining the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of surfaces, overlayers and interfaces, and sandwiches. Particular emphasis is placed, and results are given, on these structures involving transition metals (V, Cr, and Fe) on noble metals (Cu, Ag, and Au), simple metals (Al), and a nonmagnetic transition metal (W). Magnetic hyperfine fields are given for some Fe systems since conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy now permits detailed layer-by-layer tests of the theoretical predictions.