Co dimers on hexagonal carbon rings proposed as subnanometer magnetic storage bits

TL;DR

This paper proposes using cobalt dimer complexes on hexagonal carbon rings as ultra-dense magnetic storage bits, demonstrating their potential for stable, high-density data storage at elevated temperatures through quantum chemical calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel subnanometer magnetic storage bit design based on Co dimers on carbon rings, showing their potential for high-density, thermally stable data storage.

Findings

Co_2-benzene exhibits magnetic anisotropy of ~0.1 eV per molecule.

Potential for permanent data storage at temperatures above 4 K.

Similar performance expected on graphene or graphite surfaces.

Abstract

It is demonstrated by means of density functional and ab-initio quantum chemical calculations, that transition metal - carbon systems have the potential to enhance the presently achievable area density of magnetic recording by three orders of magnitude. As a model system, Co_2-benzene with a diameter of 0.5 nm is investigated. It shows a magnetic anisotropy in the order of 0.1 eV per molecule, large enough to store permanently one bit of information at temperatures considerably larger than 4 K. A similar performance can be expected, if cobalt dimers are deposited on graphene or on graphite. It is suggested that the subnanometer bits can be written by simultaneous application of a moderate magnetic and a strong electric field.