Spin torque driven electron paramagnetic resonance of a single spin in a pentacene molecule

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the coherent control of a single spin in a pentacene molecule using a spin-polarized current from an STM tip, enabling dynamic manipulation via spin torque and highlighting the role of dissipation in spin control.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of controlling a single spin with a spin-polarized current, combining electron paramagnetic resonance with local electric current manipulation.

Findings

Successful coherent driving of a single spin via RF spin-polarized current

Demonstration of spin torque as a means of spin control

Highlighting the dissipative nature of spin-transfer torque

Abstract

Control over quantum systems is typically achieved by time-dependent electric or magnetic fields. Alternatively, electronic spins can be controlled by spin-polarized currents. Here we demonstrate coherent driving of a single spin by a radiofrequency spin-polarized current injected from the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope into an organic molecule. With the excitation of electron paramagnetic resonance, we established dynamic control of single spins by spin torque using a local electric current. In addition our work highlights the dissipative action of the spin-transfer torque, in contrast to the nondissipative action of the magnetic field, which allows for the manipulation of individual spins based on controlled decoherence.