  Decoupling of the graphene layer from the ferromagnetic substrate via
intercalation of sp metal has recently been proposed as an effective way to
realize single-layer graphene-based spin-filter. Here, the structural and
electronic properties of the prototype system, graphene/Al/Ni(111), are
investigated via combination of electron diffraction and spectroscopic methods.
These studies are accompanied by state-of-the-art electronic structure
calculations. The properties of this prospective Al-intercalation-like system
and its possible implementations in future graphene-based devices are
discussed.
