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In this work, we provide clear evidence of magnetic anisotropy in the local orbital moment of a molecular thin film based on the SCO complex [Fe(H₂B(pz)₂)₂(bipy)] (pz = pyrazol−1−yl, bipy = 2,2′−bipyridine). Field dependent x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements indicate that the magnetic easy axis for the orbital moment is along the surface normal direction. Along with the presence of a critical field, our observation points to the existence of an anisotropic energy barrier in the high-spin state. The estimated nonzero coupling constant of ∼2.47 × 10⁻⁵eV molecule⁻¹indicates that the observed magnetocrystalline anisotropy is mostly due to spin–orbit coupling. The spin- and orbital-component anisotropies are determined to be 30.9 and 5.04 meV molecule⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the estimatedgfactor in the range of 2.2–2.45 is consistent with the expected values. This work has paved the way for an understanding of the spin-state-switching mechanism in the presence of magnetic perturbations.

 

Using optical characterization, it is evident that the spin state of the spin crossover molecular complex [Fe{H₂B(pz)₂}₂(bipy)] (pz = tris(pyrazol-1-1y)-borohydride, bipy = 2,2ʹ-bipyridine) depends on the electric polarization of the adjacent polymer ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) thin film. The role of the PVDF-HFP thin film is significant but complex. The UV–Vis spectroscopy measurements reveals that room temperature switching of the electronic structure of [Fe{H₂B(pz)₂}₂(bipy)] molecules in bilayers of PVDF-HFP/[Fe{H₂B(pz)₂}₂(bipy)] occurs as a function of ferroelectric polarization. The retention of voltage-controlled nonvolatile changes to the electronic structure in bilayers of PVDF-HFP/[Fe{H₂B(pz)₂}₂(bipy)] strongly depends on the thickness of the PVDF-HFP layer. The PVDF-HFP/[Fe{H₂B(pz)₂}₂(bipy)] interface may affect PVDF-HFP ferroelectric polarization retention in the thin film limit.

 

Spin crossover complexes are a route toward designing molecular devices with a facile readout due to the change in conductance that accompanies the change in spin state. Because substrate effects are important for any molecular device, there are increased efforts to characterize the influence of the substrate on the spin state transition. Several classes of spin crossover molecules deposited on different types of surface, including metallic and non-metallic substrates, are comprehensively reviewed here. While some non-metallic substrates like graphite seem to be promising from experimental measurements, theoretical and experimental studies indicate that 2D semiconductor surfaces will have minimum interaction with spin crossover molecules. Most metallic substrates, such as Au and Cu, tend to suppress changes in spin state and affect the spin state switching process due to the interaction at the molecule–substrate interface that lock spin crossover molecules in a particular spin state or mixed spin state. Of course, the influence of the substrate on a spin crossover thin film depends on the molecular film thickness and perhaps the method used to deposit the molecular film. 

A chiral 3D coordination compound, [Gd 2 (L) 2 (ox) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ], arranged around a dinuclear Gd unit has been characterized by X-ray photoemission and X-ray absorption measurements in the context of density functional theory studies. Core level photoemission of the Gd 5p multiplet splittings indicates that spin orbit coupling dominates over j–J coupling evident in the 5p core level spectra of Gd metal. Indications of spin–orbit coupling are consistent with the absence of inversion symmetry due to the ligand field. Density functional theory predicts antiferromagnet alignment of the Gd 2 dimers and a band gap of the compound consistent with optical absorption. 

The coordination chemistry of uranyl ions with surface immobilized peptides was studied using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). All the peptides in the study were modified using a six-carbon alkanethiol as a linker on a gold substrate with methylene blue as the redox label. The X-ray photoemission spectra reveal that each modified peptide interacts differently with the uranyl ion. For all the modified peptides, the XPS spectra were taken in both the absence and presence of the uranium, and their comparison reveals that the interaction depends on the chemical group present in the peptides. The XPS results show that, among all the modified peptides in the current study, the (arginine)9 (R9) modified peptide showed the largest response to uranium. In the order of response to uranium, the second largest response was shown by the modified (arginine)6 (R6) peptide followed by the modified (lysine)6 (K6) peptide. Other modified peptides, (alanine)6 (A6), (glutamic acid)6 (E6) and (serine)6 (S6), did not show any response to uranium. 

Abstract Applications of quantum information science (QIS) generally rely on the generation and manipulation of qubits. Still, there are ways to envision a device with a continuous readout, but without the entangled states. This concise perspective includes a discussion on an alternative to the qubit, namely the solid-state version of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer, in which the local moments and spin polarization replace light polarization. In this context, we provide some insights into the mathematics that dictates the fundamental working principles of quantum information processes that involve molecular systems with large magnetic anisotropy. Transistors based on such systems lead to the possibility of fabricating logic gates that do not require entangled states. Furthermore, some novel approaches, worthy of some consideration, exist to address the issues pertaining to the scalability of quantum devices, but face the challenge of finding the suitable materials for desired functionality that resemble what is sought from QIS devices. 

This work details the construction and optimization of a fully automated, custom-built, remote controlled vibrating sample magnetometer for use in spintronics related research and teaching. Following calibration by a standard 6 mm diameter Ni disc sample with known magnetic moment, hysteresis measurements of Nd-Fe-B thin films acquired by this built vibrating sample magnetometer were compared to the data taken using a commercial superconducting quantum interference device and showed very similar results. In plane and out of plane magnetic hysteresis data acquired for 25 nm Fe thin films are also presented. The developed vibrating sample magnetometer is able to achieve a sensitivity approaching 1 × 10−5 emu. Further alterations to the design that may improve beyond this limit are also discussed. 

Abstract Compact domain features have been observed in spin crossover [Fe{H 2 B(pz) 2 } 2 (bipy)] molecular thin film systems via soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy and photoemission electron microscopy. The domains are in a mixed spin state that on average corresponds to roughly 2/3 the high spin occupation of the pure high spin state. Monte Carlo simulations support the presence of intermolecular interactions that can be described in terms of an Ising model in which interactions beyond nearest-neighbors cannot be neglected. This suggests the presence of short-range order to permit interactions between molecules beyond nearest neighbor that contribute to the formation of largely high spin state domains structure. The formation of a spin state domain structure appears to be the result of extensive cooperative effects.