Magnetic properties of {M$_4$} coordination clusters with different magnetic cores (M=Co, Mn)

TL;DR

This study combines experimental and theoretical methods to analyze the magnetic properties of Co and Mn-based coordination clusters, revealing differences in magnetic interactions and spin-orbit effects relevant for spintronics.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of Co and Mn coordination clusters, highlighting the importance of spin-orbit effects and temperature-dependent magnetic behavior.

Findings

Mn4 has stronger magnetic interactions than Co4.

Magnetization behavior switches with temperature between the two compounds.

Spin-orbit effects in Co4 influence potential spintronic applications.

Abstract

We present a joint experimental and theoretical characterization of the magnetic properties of coordination clusters with an antiferromagnetic core of four magnetic ions. Two different compounds are analyzed, with Co and Mn ions in the core. While both molecules are antiferromagnetic, they display different sensitivities to external magnetic field, according to the different strength of the intra-molecular magnetic coupling. In particular, the dependence of the magnetization versus field of the two molecules switches with temperatures: at low temperature the magnetization is smaller in \{Mn$_4$\}, while the opposite happens at high temperature. Through a detailed analysis of the electronic and magnetic properties of the two compounds we identify a stronger magnetic interaction between the magnetic ions in \{Mn$_4$\} with respect to \{Co$_4$\}. Moreover \{Co$_4$\} displays not negligible spin-orbit related effects that could affect the spin lifetime in future antiferromagnetic spintronic applications. We highlight the necessity to account for these spin-orbit effects for a reliable description of these compounds.