Manifestation of spin selection rules on the quantum tunneling of magnetization in a single-molecule magnet.
We present low temperature magnetometry measurements on a new Mn3 single-molecule magnet in which the quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) displays clear evidence for quantum mechanical selection rules. A QTM resonance appearing only at high temperatures demonstrates tunneling between excited states with spin projections differing by a multiple of three. This is dictated by the C3 molecular symmetry, which forbids pure tunneling from the lowest metastable state. Transverse field resonances are understood by correctly orienting the Jahn-Teller axes of the individual manganese ions and including transverse dipolar fields. These factors are likely to be important for QTM in all single-molecule magnets.
Henderson
J J
JJ
Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, USA.
Koo
C
C
Feng
P L
PL
del Barco
E
E
Hill
S
S
Tupitsyn
I S
IS
Stamp
P C E
PC
Hendrickson
D N
DN