The magnetic anisotropy of individually addressed spin states

TL;DR

This study experimentally investigates the magnetic anisotropy of individual spin states in a molecular system, revealing how anisotropy varies with spin state and demonstrating anisotropy reversal at different spin levels.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed experimental mapping of magnetic anisotropy across multiple spin states in a single molecular system.

Findings

Magnetic anisotropy varies significantly with spin state.

Anisotropy reversal occurs between low and high spin states.

Selective population of spin states achieved up to 33 T.

Abstract

Controlling magnetic anisotropy is a key requirement for the fundamental understanding of molecular magnetism and is a prerequisite for numerous applications in magnetic storage, spintronics, and all-spin logic devices. In order to address the question of molecular magnetic anisotropy experimentally, we have synthesized single-crystals of a molecular spin system containing four antiferromagnetically coupled s = 5/2 manganese(II) ions. Using low-temperature cantilever magnetometry, we demonstrate the selective population of the S = 0, 1, . . . , 10 spin states upon application of magnetic fields up to 33 T and map the magnetic anisotropy of each of these states. We observe a strong dependence of the shape and size of the magnetic anisotropy on the populated spin states, and, in particular, reveal an anisotropy reversal upon going from the lowest to the highest spin-state.