Nanoscale magnetism probed in a matter-wave interferometer

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a versatile matter-wave interferometer capable of probing nanoscale magnetism across various particles, revealing magnetic responses in radicals and fullerenes with high sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interferometric Stern-Gerlach technique that can analyze diverse particles' magnetic properties in a single device.

Findings

Detected magnetization in a beam of organic radicals.

Observed a strong magnetic response in thermal C60 molecules.

Demonstrated high-temperature atom-like magnetic deflection.

Abstract

We explore a wide range of fundamental magnetic phenomena by measuring the dephasing of matter-wave interference fringes upon application of a variable magnetic gradient. The versatility of our interferometric Stern-Gerlach technique enables us to study alkali atoms, organic radicals and fullerenes in the same device, with magnetic moments ranging from a Bohr magneton to less than a nuclear magneton. We find evidence for magnetization of a supersonic beam of organic radicals and, most notably, observe a strong magnetic response of a thermal C$_{60}$ beam consistent with high-temperature atom-like deflection of rotational magnetic moments.