Electric field control of spins in molecular magnets

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the linear electric field sensitivity of certain molecular spins in nanomagnets, enabling potential electric control of spins for molecular spintronics applications.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of electric field control of spins in specific molecular nanomagnets, highlighting the potential for selective electric manipulation in spintronic devices.

Findings

Linear electric field dependence observed in Cr₇Mn and Cu₃ molecules.

No detectable electric field effect in Cr₇Ni molecule.

Electric field coupling coefficients around 2 rad s⁻¹ / V m⁻¹.

Abstract

Coherent control of individual molecular spins in nano-devices is a pivotal prerequisite for fulfilling the potential promised by molecular spintronics. By applying electric field pulses during time-resolved electron spin resonance measurements, we measure the sensitivity of the spin in several antiferromagnetic molecular nanomagnets to external electric fields. We find a linear electric field dependence of the spin states in Cr$_7$Mn, an antiferromagnetic ring with a ground-state spin of $S=1$, and in a frustrated Cu$_3$ triangle, both with coefficients of about $2~\mathrm{rad}\, \mathrm{s}^{-1} / \mathrm{V} \mathrm{m}^{-1}$. Conversely, the antiferromagnetic ring Cr$_7$Ni, isomorphic with Cr$_7$Mn but with $S=1/2$, does not exhibit a detectable effect. We propose that the spin-electric field coupling may be used for selectively controlling individual molecules embedded in nanodevices.