Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

W. Wernsdorfer

Publications and source records attributed to W. Wernsdorfer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2002

The V15 molecule, a multi-spin two-level system: adiabatic LZS transition with or without dissipation and Kramers theorem

The so-called V15 molecule is formed of 15 spins 1/2 antiferromagnetically coupled. The resultant spin is equal to 1/2. Contrary to what is expected at first sight, this half-integer spin is gapped. We show that this is a consequence of the multi-spin character of the molecule. Time reversal symmetry (Kramers theorem) is preserved due to the existence of a groundstate degeneracy larger than 2. Magnetization experiments have been performed at different temperatures, sweeping-field rates and couplings with the cryostat. Their interpretation in terms of the Landau-Zener-Stuckelberg model gives evidence for adiabatic LZS spin reversal with and without dissipation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Niobium and niobium nitride SQUIDs based on anodized nanobridges made with an Atomic Force Microscope

We present a fabrication method of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) based on direct write lithography with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). This technique involves maskless local anodization of Nb or NbN ultrathin films using the voltage biased tip of the AFM. The SQUIDs are of weak-link type, for which two geometries have been tested: Dayem and variable thickness nanobridges. The magnetic field dependence of the maximum supercurrent Ic(flux) in resulting SQUIDs is thoroughly measured for different weak link geometries and for both tested materials. It is found that the modulation shape and depth of Ic(flux) curves are greatly dependent on the weak link size. We analyze the results taking into account the kinetic inductance of nanobridges and using the Likharev-Yakobson model. Finally we show that the present resolution reached by this technique (20nm) enables us to fabricate Nb weak-links which behavior approaches those of ideal Josephson junctions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Quantum phase interference (Berry phase) in single-molecule magnets of Mn12

Magnetization measurements of a molecular clusters Mn12 with a spin ground state of S = 10 show resonance tunneling at avoided energy level crossings. The observed oscillations of the tunnel probability as a function of the magnetic field applied along the hard anisotropy axis are due to topological quantum phase interference of two tunnel paths of opposite windings. Mn12 is therefore the second molecular clusters presenting quantum phase interference.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Spin-parity dependent tunneling of magnetization in single-molecule magnets

Single-molecule magnets facilitate the study of quantum tunneling of magnetization at the mesoscopic level. The spin-parity effect is among the fundamental predictions that have yet to be clearly observed. It is predicted that quantum tunneling is suppressed at zero transverse field if the total spin of the magnetic system is half-integer (Kramers degeneracy) but is allowed in integer spin systems. The Landau-Zener method is used to measure the tunnel splitting as a function of transverse field. Spin-parity dependent tunneling is established by comparing the transverse field dependence of the tunnel splitting of integer and half-integer spin systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Tunneling of magnetization versus spin-phonon and spin-spin transitions in LiY_0.998Ho_0.002F_4

Strong hyperfine coupling in a 0.2% Holmium doped LiYF_4 single crystal induces staircaselike hysteresis loops of the magnetization at very low temperatures. The field sweep rate dependence of hysteresis loops allows the study of two different regimes in the magnetic relaxation of these weakly coupled magnetic moments. At slow field sweep rates, quantum tunneling of the magnetization occurs at avoided level crossings in the low-energy scheme of a single ion Ho^3+. At faster sweep rates, nonequilibrated spin-phonon and spin-spin transitions, mediated by weak dipolar interactions, lead to magnetization oscillations and additional steps.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Nuclear spin driven quantum relaxation in LiY_0.998Ho_0.002F_4

Staircase hysteresis loops of the magnetization of a LiY_0.998Ho_0.002F_4 single crystal are observed at subkelvin temperatures and low field sweep rates. This behavior results from quantum dynamics at avoided level crossings of the energy spectrum of single Ho^{3+} ions in the presence of hyperfine interactions. Enhanced quantum relaxation in constant transverse fields allows the study of the relative magnitude of tunnel splittings. At faster sweep rates, non-equilibrated spin-phonon and spin-spin transitions, mediated by weak dipolar interactions, lead to magnetization oscillations and additional steps.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Josephson junctions and superconducting quantum interference devices made by local oxidation of niobium ultrathin films

We present a method for fabricating Josephson junctions and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) which is based on the local anodization of niobium strip lines 3 to 6.5 nm-thick under the voltage-biased tip of an Atomic Force Microscope. Microbridge junctions and SQUID loops are obtained either by partial or total oxidation of the niobium layer. Two types of weak link geometries are fabricated : lateral constriction (Dayem bridges) and variable thickness bridges. SQUIDs based on both geometries show a modulation of the maximum Josephson current with a magnetic flux periodic with respect to the superconducting flux quantum h/2e. They persist up to 4K. The modulation shape and depth for SQUIDs based on variable thickness bridges indicate that the weak link size becomes comparable to the superconducting film coherence length which is of the order of 10nm.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Micro-SQUID technique for studying the temperature dependence of switching fields of single nanoparticles

An improved micro-SQUID technique is presented allowing us to measure the temperature dependence of the magnetisation switching fields of single nanoparticles well above the critical superconducting temperature of the SQUID. Our first measurements on 3 nm cobalt nanoparticle embedded in a niobium matrix are compared to the Neel Brown model describing the magnetisation reversal by thermal activation over a single anisotropy barrier.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Magnetization reversal by uniform rotation (Stoner-Wohlfarth model) in f.c.c. cobalt nanoparticles

The combination of high sensitive superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with high quality nanoparticles allowed to check the simplest classical model describing the magnetisation reversal by uniform rotation which were proposed more than 50 years ago by Neel, Stoner and Wohlfarth. The micrometer sized SQUIDs were elaborated by electron beam lithography and the nanoparticles were synthesised by arc-discharge. The measured angular dependence of switching fields of nearly all f.c.c. Co nanoparticles revealed a dominating uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. This result suggests that twin boundaries and stacking faults strongly alter the cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy leading to dominating uniaxial anisotropy. However, few particles were sufficiently "perfect" in order to show a more complex switching field surface and a field path dependence of the switching field which is the important signature of the cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2001

Classical and quantum magnetization reversal studied in nanometer-sized particles and clusters

Nanometer-sized magnetic particles have generated continuous interest as the study of their properties has proved to be scientifically and technologically very challenging. In this article we reviewed the most important theories and experimental results concerning the magnetization reversal of single-domain particles,clusters and molecular clusters. Sect.1 reviews briefly the commonly used measuring techniques. Among them, electrical transport measurements, Hall probes and micro-SQUID techniques seem to be the most convenient techniques for low temperature measurements. Sect.2 discusses the mechanisms of magnetization reversal in single domain particles at zero Kelvin. The influence of temperature on the magnetization reversal is reported in Sect.3. Finally, Sect.4 shows that for very small systems or very low temperature, magnetization can reverse via quantum tunneling. The boundary between classical and quantum physics has become a very attractive field of research. This section discusses detailed measurements which demonstrated that molecular magnets offer an unique opportunity to explore the quantum dynamics of a large but finite spin. We then discussed tunneling in nanoparticles and showed how one might give a definite proof of their quantum character at low temperature.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2000

Interface magnetic anisotropy in cobalt clusters embedded in a platinum or niobium matrix

A low concentration of cobalt clusters with a fcc structure and containing almost one thousand atoms are embedded in two different metallic matrices: platinum and niobium. Samples have been prepared using a co-deposition technique. Cobalt clusters preformed in the gas phase and matrix atoms are simultaneously deposited on a silicon substrate under Ultra High Vacuum conditions. This original technique allows to prepare nanostructured systems from miscible elements such as Co/Pt and Co/Nb in which clusters keep a pure cobalt core surrounded with an alloyed interface. Magnetic measurements performed using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) reveal large differences in the magnetic properties of cobalt clusters in Pt and Nb pointing out the key role of cluster/matrix interfaces.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2000

Magnetic Anisotropy of a Single Cobalt Nanoparticle

Using a new microSQUID set-up, we investigate magnetic anisotropy in a single 1000-atoms cobalt cluster. This system opens new fields in the characterization and the understanding of the origin of magnetic anisotropy in such nanoparticles. For this purpose, we report three-dimensional switching field measurements performed on a 3 nm cobalt cluster embedded in a niobium matrix. We are able to separate the different magnetic anisotropy contributions and evidence the dominating role of the cluster surface.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2000

Nonadiabatic Landau Zener tunneling in Fe_8 molecular nanomagnets

The Landau Zener method allows to measure very small tunnel splittings Δin molecular clusters Fe_8. The observed oscillations of Δas a function of the magnetic field applied along the hard anisotropy axis are explained in terms of topological quantum interference of two tunnel paths of opposite windings. Studies of the temperature dependence of the Landau Zener transition rate P gives access to the topological quantum interference between exited spin levels. The influence of nuclear spins is demonstrated by comparing P of the standard Fe_8 sample with two isotopically substituted samples. The need of a generalized Landau Zener transition rate theory is shown.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2000

Butterfly hysteresis loop and dissipative spin reversal in the S=1/2, V15 molecular complex

Time resolved magnetization measurements have been performed on a spin 1/2 molecular complex, so called V$_{15}$. Despite the absence of a barrier, magnetic hysteresis is observed over a timescale of several seconds. A detailed analysis in terms of a dissipative two level model is given, in which fluctuations and splittings are of same energy. Spin-phonon coupling leads to long relaxation times and to a particular "butterfly" hysteresis loop.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2000

Non-adiabatic Landau-Zener transitions in low spin molecular magnet V15

The V_{15} polyoxovanadate molecule is made of 15 spins 1/2 with antiferromagnetic couplings. It belongs to the class of molecules with very large Hilbert space dimension (2^{15} in V_{15}, 10^8 in Mn_{12}-ac). It is a low-spin/big-molecule with spin S=1/2. Contrary large-spins/big-molecules of the Mn_{12}-ac type, V_{15} has no energy barrier against spin rotation. Magnetization measurements have been performed and despite the absence of a barrier, magnetic hysteresis is observed over a timescale of several seconds. This new phenomenon characterized by a "butterfly" hysteresis loop is due to the effect of the environment on the quantum rotation of the entangled 15 spins of the molecule, in which the phonon density of states is not at its equilibrium (phonon bottleneck).

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2000

Structure and Magnetism of well-defined cobalt nanoparticles embedded in a niobium matrix

Our recent studies on Co-clusters embedded in various matrices reveal that the co-deposition technique (simultaneous deposition of two beams : one for the pre-formed clusters and one for the matrix atoms) is a powerful tool to prepare magnetic nanostructures with any couple of materials even though they are miscible. We study, both sharply related, structure and magnetism of the Co/Nb system. Because such a heterogeneous system needs to be described at different scales, we used microscopic and macroscopic techniques but also local selective absorption ones. We conclude that our clusters are 3 nm diameter f.c.c truncated octahedrons with a pure cobalt core and a solid solution between Co and Nb located at the interface which could be responsible for the magnetically inactive monolayers we found. The use of a very diluted Co/Nb film, further lithographed, would allow us to achieve a pattern of microsquid devices in view to study the magnetic dynamics of a single-Co cluster.

cond-mat↗
arXiv2000

The effects of nuclear spins on the quantum relaxation of the magnetization for the molecular nanomagnet Fe_8

The strong influence of nuclear spins on resonant quantum tunneling in the molecular cluster Fe_8 is demonstrated for the first time by comparing the relaxation rate of the standard Fe_8 sample with two isotopic modified samples: (i) 56_Fe is replaced by 57_Fe, and (ii) a fraction of 1_H is replaced by 2_H. By using a recently developed "hole digging" method, we measured an intrinsic broadening which is driven by the hyperfine fields. Our measurements are in good agreement with numerical hyperfine calculations. For T > 1.5 K, the influence of nuclear spins on the relaxation rate is less important, suggesting that spin-phonon coupling dominates the relaxation rate at higher temperature.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗