No description available.

Molecular magnets are ideal systems to probe the realm that borders quantum and classical physics, as well as to study decoherence phenomena in nanoscale systems. The control of the quantum behavior of these materials and their structural characteristics requires synthesis of new complexes with desirable properties which will allow probing of the fundamental aspects of nanoscale physics and quantum information processing. Of particular interest among the magnetic molecular materials are single-molecule magnets (SMMs) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) molecular wheels in which the spin state of the molecule is known to behave quantum mechanically at low temperatures. In previous experiments the dynamics of the magnetic moment of the molecules is governed by incoherent quantum tunneling. Short decoherence times are mainly due to interactions between molecular magnets within the crystal and interactions of the electronic spin with the nuclear spin of neighboring ions within the molecule. This decoherence problem has imposed a limit to the understanding of the molecular spin dynamics and the sources of decoherence in condensed matter systems. Particularly, intermolecular dipolar interactions within the crystal, which shorten the coherence times in concentrated samples, have stymied progress in this direction. Several recent works have reported a direct measurement of the decoherence time in molecular magnets. This has been done by eliminating the dephasing created by dipolar interactions between neighboring molecules. This has been achieved by a) a dilution of the molecules in a liquid solution to decrease the dipolar interaction by separating the molecules, and b) by polarizing the spin bath by applying a high magnetic field at low temperatures. Unfortunately, both approaches restrict the experimental studies of quantum dynamics. For example, the dilution of molecular magnets in liquid solution causes a dispersion of the molecular spin orientation and anisotropy axes, while the large fields required to polarize the spin bath overcome the anisotropy of the molecular spin. In this thesis I have explored two methods to overcome dipolar interactions in molecular magnets: a) studying the dynamics of molecular magnets in single crystals where the separation between magnetic molecules is obtained by chemical doping or where the high crystalline quality allows observations intrinsic to the quantum mechanical nature of the tunneling of the spin, and b) studying the electronic transport through an individual magnetic molecule which has been carefully placed in a single-electron transistor device. I have used EPR microstrip resonators to measure Fe17Ga molecular wheels within single crystals of Fe18 AFM wheels, as well as demonstrating, for the first time in a Single Molecule Magnet, the complete suppression of a Quantum Tunneling of the Magnetization transition forbidden by molecular symmetry.

No description available.

The field of molecular magnetism has expanded rapidly since the discovery of single molecule magnets (SMMs) in the 1990’s and has witnessed extraordinary advances in the last several decades. One of the current trends in molecular magnetic research is to incorporate metal ions that have pronounced single-ion anisotropy in an effort to improve magnetic exchange interactions. The 4d and 5d transition metal ions have large spin-orbit coupling parameters which contribute to the orbital angular momentum effects that lead to anisotropic behavior. The work herein describes efforts to synthesize and characterize new cyanide-bridged molecular materials incorporating 4d and 5d transition metal ions, specifically the [Os(CN)_(6)]^(3-), [Mo(CN)_(6)]^(3-) and [W(CN)_(8)]^(3-) ions. The 5d hexacyanometallate [Os(CN)_(6)]^(3-) was incorporated into a trinuclear cyanide bridged molecule and the [Fe(CN)_(6)]^(3-) analog was prepared as a reference compound for assessing the effect of the 5d versus 3d metal ion on the magnetic properties. Both molecules exhibit SMM bistability with a pronounced increase (~90 %) in the blocking temperature (TB) of the OsIII analogue. In addition to typical SMM behavior, both compounds exhibit exchange-biased SMM behavior, a shift in the quantum tunneling of the magnetization (QTM) from zero field. This exchange-bias can be turned “on” or “off” depending on the presence of interstitial methanol molecules. New trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) molecules incorporating the rarely studies hexacyanomolybdate(III) ion are presented in chapter III of this dissertation. The molecules of general formula [M(tmphen)_(2)]_(3)[Mo(CN)_(6)]_(2) (M = V^(II), Mn^(II) and Fe^(II); tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), represent additions to a large homologous family of TBP molecules reported by the Dunbar group over the years. The [Mo(CN)_(6)]^(3-) ion was prepared in situ by loss of one cyanide ligand from [Mo(CN)_(7)]^(4-). Of particular interest among the compounds reported is the V_(3)Mo_(2) analog which exhibits extraordinarily strong antiferromagnetic coupling (estimated J = -134 cm^(-1). The observed exchange coupling parameter is more than twice the current record for the antiferromagnetic coupling parameter for a cyanide-bridged magnetic molecule. Another set of results were obtained using the octacyanometallate anion [WV(CN)_(8)]^(3-) as a building block for the synthesis and magnetic studies of a family of new cyanide-bridged magnetic materials. The compounds exhibit several different structural motifs including three 0-D molecular compounds (two pentanuclear molecules and a linear trinuclear molecule) and a 1-D chain, findings that illustrate the structural versatility of the octacyanotungstate(V) ions. The TBP molecule, [Mn(tmphen)_(2)]_(3)[W(CN)_(8)]_(2), exhibits evidence for an out-of-phase signal when subjected to ac measurements in zero applied field. The 1-D chain also reveals evidence for the beginning of an out-of-phase signal under zero applied field which hints at single chain magnet behavior.

We investigate whether quantum spin rings with nearest-neighbor Heisenberg or Ising exchange interactions can host solitary states. Using complete diagonalization techniques the system is described without classical or semiclassical approximation. In this case definitions used in connection with classical solitons are not applicable, one needs to redefine what solitary objects on a quantum spin system with translational symmetry ought to be. Thus, we start our contribution by defining which quantum states possess solitary character. In addition we discuss useful observables in order to visualize solitary quantum states. Then we demonstrate for various quantum spin rings that solitary quantum states indeed exist, and that they are moving around the spin ring without changing their shape in the course of time.

This thesis investigates a number of transition-metal coordination polymers and iron-pnictide superconductors through the use of high magnetic fields, low temperatures, and on occasion, high pressures. The thesis will begin by describing my development of the proximity detector dynamic susceptometer, a novel technique that can be used for magnetometery and transport measurements in high magnetic fields. This technique is highly compact and has no moving parts, making it suitable for use in pressure cells, hence opening the way for a variety of new experiments. Through high-field magnetometery and other measurements, I will demonstrate that the pressure can be used to directly control the magnetic properties of the polymeric magnet CuF₂(H₂O)₂(pyrazine). In particular, I observe a transition from quasi-two-dimensional to quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnetism at 9~kbar, driven by the rotation of the Jahn-Teller axis. I will then present a series of measurements on two coordination polymers, showing how a small chemical difference can lead to drastically different magnetic properties. I show that [Cu(pyrazine)H₂O(glycine)₂]ClO₄ is an excellent spin-chain, while the sister compound [Cu(pyrazine)(glycine)]ClO₄ is a dimerised material that shows a spin-gap and is disordered down to very low temperatures, but then undergoes a field-induced phase transition to an ordered phase. I will also describe a series of pulsed-field measurements of the upper critical field of the iron-based superconductors NaFe_1-xCo_xAs across the whole of the doping phase diagram. It is shown that paramagnetic pair-breaking effects dominate the critical field when the field is parallel to the crystal planes. In the parent compound the paramagnetic limit is equal to that expected from BCS theory, but becomes significantly enhanced above the BCS limit upon doping. It is shown that the multi-band nature of the superconductivity leads to a convex curvature in the evolution of the critical field as the temperature is reduced.

Research in the fields of molecular conductors and magnets over the past four decades has involved collaborative efforts of chemists and physicists whose common goal is to design useful materials composed of molecular building blocks. Of particular interest are materials whose properties can be tuned by electronic or steric changes in the molecular sub-units. The research on TCNQ derivatives described in this thesis was inspired by the observation that, although a vast amount of research has been directed at understanding binary M(TCNQ•-) materials, analogous compounds based on substituted TCNQ acceptors are surprisingly scarce. Single crystals of a new structure type for the M+(TCNQ)•- binary family were isolated from reactions of two dihalogenated TCNQ derivatives with Cu(I) ions, namely Cu(TCNQX2) (X = Cl, Br). The new 3-D compound Cu(TCNQCl2) exhibits the highest conductivity of the M+(TCNQ)•- series to date, despite the greater separation of TCNQCl2 units as compared to other derivatives. Compounds of lower dimensionality were also obtained, namely the 2-D Cu(TCNQBr2)(CH3CN) and 1-D Cu(TCNQI2)(CH3CN)2 phases. Several 2p-3d heterospin molecular magnets were also synthesized. For example a “magnetic sponge” material based on a 2-D hexagonal framework of composition {[Mn2(TCNQF4)(CH3OH)7.5(H2O)0.5]-(TCNQF4)2•7.5CH3OH}∞, as well as molecular magnets based on first row metal ions and TCNQF4 ligands of composition MII(TCNQF4)-•(TCNQF42-)0.5(CH3CN) (M = Mn, Co) were prepared. In addition, unprecedented isostructural 2-D frameworks based on combinations of first row metal ions with TCNQBr2 radicals of composition [M(TCNQBr2)2(H2O)2]∞ (M = Mn, Zn) were synthesized. Lanthanide chemistry is also described in this dissertation. A series of mononuclear Ln-TCNQF4 heterospin complexes of composition {MIII[TCNQF4]2[H2O]x}(TCNQF4)(3H2O) (M = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb) was also obtained which exhibit remarkable properties. In this family of compounds there exists an unprecedented subtle interplay between single molecule magnetic behavior and phonon bottleneck effect behavior for the Tb analogue. Magnetic ordering was observed for the Sm analogue. A homologous series of 1-D materials based on alternating lanthanide ions and hexacyanometallates of formula {[Ln(tptz)(H2O)4Fe(CN)6]•8H2O}∞ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb) was obtained and a detailed magnetic study provided incontrovertible evidence that the SmIII-[FeIII(CN)6]3- compound exhibits ferromagnetic and not antiferromagnetic coupling as had been reported for related 1-D chains.

Molecule-based magnets (molecular magnets) have attracted much interest in recent decades both from an experimental and from a theoretical point of view, not only because of their interesting physical effects, but also because of their potential applications: e.g., molecular spintronics, quantum computing, high density information storage, and nanomedicine. Molecular magnets are at the very bottom of the possible size of nanomagnets. On reducing the size of objects down to the nanoscale, the coexistence of classical properties and quantum properties in these systems may be observed. In additional, molecular magnets exist with structural variability and permit selective substitution of the ligands in order to alter their magnetic properties. Therefore, these characteristics make such molecules suitable candidates for studying molecular magnetism. They can be used as model systems for a detailed understanding of interplay between structural and magnetic properties of them in order to optimize desired magnetic properties. This thesis considers the investigation of magnetic properties of several new transition metal molecular compounds via different experimental techniques (continuous wave electron spin resonance (CW ESR), pulse ESR, high-field/high-frequency ESR (HF-ESR) and static magnetization techniques). The first studied compounds were mono- and trinuclear Cu(II)-(oxamato, oxamidato)/bis(oxamidato) type compounds. First, all components of the g-tensor and the tensors of onsite ACu and transferred AN HF interactions of mononuclear Cu(II)- bis(oxamidato) compounds have been determined from CW ESR measurements at 10 GHz and at room temperature and pulse ELDOR detected NMR measurements at 35 GHz and at 20 K. The spin density distributions of the mononuclear compounds have been calculated from the experimentally obtained HF tensors. The magnetic exchange constants J of their corresponding trinuclear compounds were determined from susceptibility measurements versus temperature. Our discussion of the spin density distribution of the mononuclear compounds together with the results of the magnetic characterization of their corresponding trinuclear compounds show that the spin population of the mononuclear compounds is in interplay with the J values of their corresponding trinuclear compounds. The second studied compounds were polynuclear Cu(II)-(bis)oxamato compounds with ferrocene and ferrocenium ligands. The magnetic properties of these compounds were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature to determine J values. In addition, the ESR technique is used to investigate the magnetic properties of the studied compounds because they contain two different magnetic ions and because only the ESR technique can selectively excite different electron spin species. These studies together with geometries of the ferrocenium ligands determined by crystallographic studies indicate that the magnetic interaction between a central Cu(II) and a Fe(III) ions changed from the antiferromagnetic coupling to the ferromagnetic coupling when a stronger distortion of the axial symmetry in the feroccenium cation exists. Therefore, the degree of the distortion of the feroccenium cation is a control parameter for the sign of the interaction between the central Cu(II) ion and the Fe(III) spins of the studied compounds. The last two studied molecular magnets were a binuclear Ni(II) compound (Ni(II)-dimer) and a cube-like tetranuclear compound with a [Fe4O4]-cube core (Fe4-cube). HF-ESR measurements enabled us to determine the g-factor, the sign, and the absolute value of the magnetic anisotropy parameters. Using this information together with static magnetization measurements, the J value and the magnetic ground state of the studied compounds have been determined. In Ni(II)-dimer, two Ni(II) ions, each having a spin S = 1, are coupled antiferromagnetically that leads to a ground state with total spin Stot = 0. An easy plane magnetic anisotropy with a preferable direction for each Ni(II) ion is found. For Fe4-cube, a ground state with total spin Stot = 8 has been determined. The analysis of the frequency dependence and temperature dependence of HF-ESR lines reveals an easy axis magnetic anisotropy (Dcube = -22 GHz (-1 K)) corresponding to an energy barrier of U = 64 K for the thermal relaxation of the magnetization. These results indicate that Fe4-cube is favorable to show single molecular magnet (SMM) behavior.

No description available.

Molecular magnets with different dimensionality, whether they are zero-dimensional singlemolecule magnets (SMM) or one-dimensional single-chain magnets (SCM) are very interesting, since they allow probing the fundamental aspects bordering quantum and classical physics at the nanoscale level. This dissertation covers experimental studies of two Mn-based exchangecoupled molecule-based magnets and two Co-based single-chain magnets, using both dc Halleffect magnetometry and electron paramagnet resonance (EPR) techniques. In these multidimensional systems, the spin of the molecule exhibits quantum mechanical behavior at low temperature. It is quite interesting to observe the effect of magnetic exchange interactions on the magnetic properties of various complexes; hence they strongly affect the magnetic behavior. In this dissertation, the research is initiated with the study of low-magnetic-nuclearity molecules, starting with a spectroscopic study of a significantly anisotropic Mn(IV) monomer. At low temperature the molecule possesses easy-plane type anisotropy of a remarkable magnitude. Although the molecule is not a single-molecule magnet, the remarkable anisotropy can initiate synthesis of newer and better molecular magnets with Mn(IV) as the main building block. Furthermore, the interplay between the magnetic anisotropy and the inter-ion exchange interactions (J) within the molecule are probed for a dimer and a trimer where the magnetic core is comprised of two and three ions respectively. In the Mn-based case of the dimer, the low coupling between the atoms leads to significant state mixing, thus making it impossible to assign the individual spin states to the dimer or to the respective individual Mn(II) ions. In the case of iv the trimer, lowering of the symmetry achieved by fine tuning of the inter-ion exchange interactions leads to relieving of frustration in the antiferromagnetic (AF) triangular Mn(III) system, resulting in a well defined ground state and significant zero field splitting. Also a clear hysteretic behavior observed in this system demonstrates its SMM nature at low temperature. Finally, high-field high-frequency magnetic and spectroscopic studies performed on two cobalt-based SCMs reveal that formation of magnetic domains by exchange interactions within the chain are strongly influenced by thermal fluctuations. The chain possesses a uniaxial anisotropy with the quantization axis lying along the length of the chain. Moreover it is shown that modulation of the magnitude of inter- and intra-chain interactions results in a threedimensional dynamics in one of the samples. Interestingly, detailed dc magnetic studies show a tunable crossover between one- and three-dimensional magnetic dynamics as a function of temperature and/or magnetic field sweep rate. Our voyage through several molecular systems of different dimensionality have allowed us to expand our understanding of the role of exchange interactions on the magnetic behavior in molecular magnetism