Ab-initio studies are done on various structures of CaN monolayer on Si (001).
The lowest energy system was found to be the N-top configuration interface, while the highest spin polarization was observed in the Ca-hollow termination.
Both Ca-hollow and N-top are unstable toward a nonmagnetic rock–salt CaN monolayer on silicon surface.
Realization of a magnetic CaN/Si (001) interface likely requires some buffer layer on silicon surface, prior to the thin film deposition.