arXiv subjects

W. Wernsdorfer

Publications and source records attributed to W. Wernsdorfer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Kondo effects in a C_60 single-molecule transistor

We have used the electromigration technique to fabricate a $\rm{C_{60}}$ single-molecule transistor (SMT). We present a full experimental study as a function of temperature, down to 35 mK, and as a function of magnetic field up to 8 T in a SMT with odd number of electrons, where the usual spin-1/2 Kondo effect occurs, with good agreement with theory. In the case of even number of electrons, a low temperature magneto-transport study is provided, which demonstrates a Zeeman splitting of the zero-bias anomaly at energies well below the Kondo scale.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Neutron spectroscopy and magnetic relaxation of the Mn$_6$ nanomagnets

Inelastic neutron scattering has been used to determine the microscopic Hamiltonian describing two high-spin variants of the high-anisotropy Mn$_6$ nanomagnet. The energy spectrum of both systems is characterized by the presence of several excited total-spin multiplets partially overlapping the S=12 ground multiplet. This implies that the relaxation processes of these molecules are different from those occurring in prototype giant-spin nanomagnets. In particular, we show that both the height of the energy barrier and resonant tunnelling processes are greatly influenced by low-lying excited total-spin multiplets.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Comment on: Quantum interference of tunnel trajectories between states of different spin length in a dimeric molecular nanomagnet

Ramsey et al. [Nature Phys. 4, 277-281 (2008)] report the observation of quantum interference associated with tunnelling trajectories between states of different total spin length in a dimeric molecular nanomagnet. They argue that the interference is a consequence of the unique characteristics of a molecular Mn12 wheel, which behaves as a molecular dimer with weak ferromagnetic exchange coupling. We show here that the data published by Ramsey et al. are not consistent and unfortunately mostly wrong. We show further that the Landau-Zener (LZ) formula, which links the tunnel probability with the tunnel splitting, can only be applied in a well-defined experimental region, which lays outside the region accessed by Ramsey and colleagues. Only a lower-limit estimate of the tunnel splitting can be obtained, showing that the observed transition cannot be explained with the dimer model. We also present other shortcomings of the paper questioning the dimer model, and that the alignment of the magnetic field is crucial for observing quantum interference.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Energy Level Lifetimes in the Single-Molecule Magnet Fe_8 : Experiments and Simulations

We present pump-probe measurements on the single-molecule magnet Fe_8 with microwave pulses having a length of several nanoseconds. The microwave radiation in the experiments is located in the frequency range between 104 GHz and 118 GHz. The dynamics of the magnetization of the single Fe_8 crystal is measured using micrometer-sized Hall sensors. This technique allows us to determine the level lifetimes of excited spin states, that are found to be in good agreement with theoretical calculations. The theory, to which we compare our experimental results, is based on a general spin-phonon coupling formalism, which involves spin transitions between nearest and next-nearest energy levels. We show that good agreement between theory and experiments is only obtained when using both the Delta m_S = +-1 transition as well as Delta m_S = +-2, where Delta m_S designates a change in the spin quantum number m_S. Temperature dependent studies of the level lifetimes of several spin states allow us finally to determine experimentally the spin-phonon coupling constants.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Pump-Probe Experiments on the Single-Molecule Magnet Fe8 : Measurement of Excited Level Lifetimes

We present magnetization measurements on the single molecule magnet Fe8 in the presence of pulsed microwave radiation. A pump-probe technique is used with two microwave pulses with frequencies of 107 GHz and 118 GHz and pulse lengths of several nanoseconds to study the spin dynamics via time-resolved magnetization measurements using a Hall probe magnetometer. We find evidence for short spin-phonon relaxation times of the order of one microsecond. The temperature dependence of the spin-phonon relaxation time in our experiments is in good agreement with previously published theoretical results. We also established the presence of very short energy diffusion times, that act on a timescale of about 70 ns.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Absence of Conventional Spin-Glass Transition in the Ising Dipolar System LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4

The magnetic properties of single crystals of LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 with x=16.5% and x=4.5% were recorded down to 35 mK using a micro-SQUID magnetometer. While this system is considered as the archetypal quantum spin glass, the detailed analysis of our magnetization data indicates the absence of a phase transition, not only in a transverse applied magnetic field, but also without field. A zero-Kelvin phase transition is also unlikely, as the magnetization seems to follow a non-critical exponential dependence on the temperature. Our analysis thus unmasks the true, short-ranged nature of the magnetic properties of the LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 system, validating recent theoretical investigations suggesting the lack of phase transition in this system.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2007

Gate-tuned high frequency response of carbon nanotube Josephson junctions

Carbon nanotube (CNT) Josephson junctions in the open quantum dot limit exhibit superconducting switching currents which can be controlled with a gate electrode. Shapiro voltage steps can be observed under radiofrequency current excitations, with a damping of the phase dynamics that strongly depends on the gate voltage. These measurements are described by a standard RCSJ model showing that the switching currents from the superconducting to the normal state are close to the critical current of the junction. The effective dynamical capacitance of the nanotube junction is found to be strongly gate-dependent, suggesting a diffusive contact of the nanotube.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Magnetization dynamics in the single-molecule magnet Fe8 under pulsed microwave irradiation

We present measurements on the single molecule magnet Fe8 in the presence of pulsed microwave radiation at 118 GHz. The spin dynamics is studied via time resolved magnetization experiments using a Hall probe magnetometer. We investigate the relaxation behavior of magnetization after the microwave pulse. The analysis of the experimental data is performed in terms of different contributions to the magnetization after-pulse relaxation. We find that the phonon bottleneck with a characteristic relaxation time of 10 to 100 ms strongly affects the magnetization dynamics. In addition, the spatial effect of spin diffusion is evidenced by using samples of different sizes and different ways of the sample's irradiation with microwaves.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Phonon-bottleneck enhanced magnetic hysteresis in a molecular paddle wheel complex of Ru$_2^{5+}$

The ruthenium based molecular magnet [Ru$_2$(D(3,5-Cl$_2$Ph)F)$_4$Cl(0.5H$_2$O)$\cdotp$C$_6$H$_{14}$] (hereafter Ru$_2$) behaves as a two-level system at sufficiently low temperatures. The authors performed spin detection by means of single-crystal measurements and obtained magnetic hysteresis loops around zero bias as a function of field sweeping rate. Compared to other molecular systems, Ru$_2$ presents an enhanced irreversibility as shown by ``valleys'' of negative differential susceptibility in the hysteresis curves. Simulations based on phonon bottleneck model are in good qualitative agreement and suggest an abrupt spin reversal combined with insufficient thermal coupling between sample and cryostat phonon bath.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Tuning the Kondo effect with back and side gates - Application to carbon nanotube superconducting quantum interference devices and pi-junctions

We recently presented the first superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) Josephson junctions [1: J. P. Cleuziou, W. Wernsdorfer, V. Bouchiat, T. Ondarcuhu and M. Monthioux, Nature Nanotech. 1, 53, (2006).], http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v1/n1/pdf/nnano.2006.54.pdf . We showed that quantum confinement in each junction induces a discrete quantum dot (QD) energy level structure, which can be controlled with two lateral electrostatic gates. In addition, a backgate electrode can vary the transparency of the QD barriers, thus permitting to change the hybridization of the QD states with the superconducting contacts. This technique is further illustrated in this additional supporting material where we show that the Kondo coupling for a given resonance can be continuously tuned by varying the backgate voltage. It allowed us to show [1] that CNT Josephson junctions can be used as gate-controlled pi-junctions, that is, the sign of the current-phase relation across the CNT junctions can be tuned with a gate voltage.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Slow relaxation in a one-dimensional rational assembly of antiferromagnetically-coupled [Mn4] single-molecule-magnets

Four discrete MnIII/MnII tetra-nuclear complexes with double-cuboidal core were synthesized. dc magnetic measurements show that both Mn2+ - Mn3+ and Mn3+ - Mn3+ magnetic interactions are ferromagnetic in three samples leading to an S = 9 ground state for the Mn4 unit. Furthermore, these complexes are Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) clearly showing both thermally activated and ground state tunneling regimes. Slight changes in the [Mn4] core geometry result in an S = 1 ground state in fourth sample. A one-dimensional assembly of [Mn4] units was obtained in the same synthetic conditions with the subsequent addition of NaN3. Double chair-like N3- bridges connect identical [Mn4] units into a chain arrangement. This material behaves as an Ising assembly of S = 9 tetramers weakly antiferromagnetically coupled. Slow relaxation of the magnetization is observed at low temperature for the first time in an antiferromagnetic chain, following an activated behavior with 47 K and tau_0 = 7x10^-11 s. The observation of this original thermally activated relaxation process is induced by finite-size effects and in particular by the non-compensation of spins in segments of odd-number units. Generalizing the known theories on the dynamic properties of poly-disperse finite segments of antiferromagnetically coupled Ising spins, the theoretical expression of the characteristic energy gaps were estimated and successfully compared to the experimental values.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Quantum nucleation in a single-chain magnet

The field sweep rate (v=dH/dt) and temperature (T) dependence of the magnetization reversal of a single-chain magnet (SCM) is studied at low temperatures. As expected for a thermally activated process, the nucleation field (H_n) increases with decreasing T and increasing v. The set of H_n(T,v) data is analyzed with a model of thermally activated nucleation of magnetization reversal. Below 1 K, H_n becomes temperature independent but remains strongly sweep rate dependent. In this temperature range, the reversal of the magnetization is induced by a quantum nucleation of a domain wall that then propagates due to the applied field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Field sweep rate dependence of the coercive field of single-molecule magnets: a classical approach with applications to the quantum regime

A method, based on the Neel-Brown model of thermally activated magnetization reversal of a magnetic single-domain particle, is proposed to study the field sweep rate dependence of the coercive field of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The application to Mn12 and Mn84 SMMs allows the determination of the important parameters that characterize the magnetic properties: the energy barrier, the magnetic anisotropy constant, the spin, tau_0, and the crossover temperature from the classical to the quantum regime. The method may be particularly valuable for large SMMs that do not show quantum tunneling steps in the hysteresis loops.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Landau-Zener tunneling in the presence of weak intermolecular interactions in a crystal of Mn4 single-molecule magnets

A Mn4 single-molecule magnet (SMM), with a well isolated spin ground state of S = 9/2, is used as a model system to study Landau-Zener (LZ) tunneling in the presence of weak intermolecular dipolar and exchange interactions. The anisotropy constants D and B are measured with minor hysteresis loops. A transverse field is used to tune the tunnel splitting over a large range. Using the LZ and inverse LZ method, it is shown that these interactions play an important role in the tunnel rates. Three regions are identified: (i) at small transverse fields, tunneling is dominated by single tunnel transitions; (ii) at intermediate transverse fields, the measured tunnel rates are governed by reshuffling of internal fields, (iii) at larger transverse fields, the magnetization reversal starts to be influenced by the direct relaxation process, and many-body tunnel events may occur. The hole digging method is used to study the next-nearest neighbor interactions. At small external fields, it is shown that magnetic ordering occurs which does not quench tunneling. An applied transverse field can increase the ordering rate. Spin-spin cross-relaxations, mediated by dipolar and weak exchange interactions, are proposed to explain additional quantum steps.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Resonant Tunneling in Truly Axial Symmetry Mn12 Single-Molecule Magnets: Sharp Crossover between Thermally Assisted and Pure Quantum Tunneling

Magnetization measurements of a truly axial symmetry Mn12-tBuAc molecular nanomagnet with a spin ground state of S = 10 show resonance tunneling. This compound has the same magnetic anisotropy as Mn12-Ac but the molecules are better isolated and the crystals have less disorder and a higher symmetry. Hysteresis loop measurements at several temperatures reveal a well-resolved step fine-structure which is due to level crossings of excited states. All step positions can be modeled by a simple spin Hamiltonian. The crossover between thermally assisted and pure quantum tunneling can be investigated with unprecedented detail.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Quantum tunneling of magnetization in lanthanide single-molecule magnets, bis(phthalocyaninato)terbium and bis(phthalocyaninato)-dysprosium anions

Magnetization versus field measurements were performed on single crystals of [(Pc)2TbIII0.02YIII0.98]^TBA+ and [(Pc)2DyIII0.02YIII0.98]^TBA+ (Pc: phthalocyaninato, TBA: tetrabutylammonium) at 0.04 K. The [(Pc)2TbIII] complex, the first lanthanide single-molecule magnet, exhibited clear staircase-like structures, which are assigned to resonant quantum tunneling between entangled states of the electron and nuclear spin systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Nuclear Spin Driven Quantum Tunneling of Magnetization in a New Lanthanide Single-Molecule Magnet: Bis(phthalocyaninato)holmium anion

The first measurements of magnetization hysteresis loops on diluted single crystal of [(Pc)2Ho]-TBA+ (Pc: phthalocyaninato, TBA: tetrabutylammonium) in the subkelvin temperature range are reported. Characteristic staircase-like structure was observed, indicating the occurrence of the quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM), which is a characteristic feature of SMMs. The quantum process in the new lanthanide SMMs is due to resonant quantum tunneling between entangled states of the electronic and nuclear spin systems, which is an essentially different mechanism from those of the known transition-metal-cluster SMMs. Evidence of the two-body quantum process was also observed for the first time in lanthanide complex systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Resonant photon absorption and hole burning in Cr7Ni antiferromagnetic rings

Presented are magnetization measurements on a crystal of Cr7Ni antiferromagnetic rings. Irradiation with microwaves at frequencies between 1 and 10 GHz leads to observation of very narrow resonant photon absorption lines which are mainly broadened by hyperfin interactions. A two-pulse hole burning technique allowed us to estimate the characteristic energy diffusion time.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗