Project

Inelastic Neutron Scattering; Single Molecule Magnets; Inorganic Chemistry; Molecular Magnetism; Neutron Scattering

Lead
Lay summary
Digital information is currently stored on devices using small particles of magnetic materials. Technological advances demand smaller magnetic particles to increase the density of information storage. One of the most exciting discoveries in recent years is a class of molecules termed Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) that behave like tiny bar magnets. Potentially, a vast amount of information could be stored on a very small amount of material, provided SMMs can operate effectively at high enough temperatures. The aim of the project is to identify the factors required to make high-performance SMMs by harnessing the excellent facilities and expertise available at the Paul Scherrer Institut. Our specific goal is to synthetise and charaterise a new class of SMMs containing heavy transition metal and lanthanide metal ions.

Direct link to Lay Summary

Last update: 21.02.2013

Active participation

The project outlined in this proposal concerns the study of a family of compounds based upon the linear Mn(III)-C-N-Fe(III)-N-C-Mn(III) trimeric unit . These MnFeMn trimers have been subject to intense study by methods that monitor the bulk magnetic moment, with claims and counter claims of single molecule magnet behaviour. An experimental programme is delineated, with a view to i) characterise the electronic structure of the MnFeMn trimers through spectroscopic techniques, primarily neutron scattering, and by doing so understand the contrasting magnetic properties; ii) correlate the determined electronic structure with the molecular geometry iii) enhance the properties of this class of compounds by way of chemical manipulation. Preliminary results are presented that serve to illustrate the open questions that need to be addressed and confirm the feasibility of the physical and chemical techniques that we intend to employ.