Spin-Electric Coupling in Molecular Magnets

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electric fields influence the spin states in the Cu$_3$ molecular magnet, revealing a spin-electric coupling mechanism that enables electric control of spin qubits through symmetry and Hubbard model analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework combining symmetry and Hubbard models to explain spin-electric coupling in molecular magnets, specifically Cu$_3$.

Findings

Identification of spin-electric coupling mediated by spin exchange and spin-orbit interaction.

Proposal of experimental methods to detect spin-electric effects.

Demonstration of electric control over spin qubit states.

Abstract

We study the triangular antiferromagnet Cu$_3$ in external electric fields, using symmetry group arguments and a Hubbard model approach. We identify a spin-electric coupling caused by an interplay between spin exchange, spin-orbit interaction, and the chirality of the underlying spin texture of the molecular magnet. This coupling allows for the electric control of the spin (qubit) states, e.g. by using an STM tip or a microwave cavity. We propose an experimental test for identifying molecular magnets exhibiting spin-electric effects.