NSE/NIRT: Quantum Effects in Single Molecule Magnets

该项目是一个跨学科的纳米跨学科研究小组（NIRT），将研究纳米尺寸的单分子磁体（SMM）的量子特性。 使用传统制造技术将磁性器件小型化到这种尺寸是一个重大的科学挑战。 出于这个原因，人们对自下而上或基于分子的方法越来越感兴趣，其中在室温下使用溶液方法化学合成磁性纳米结构。 这些材料使以前无法访问的磁性纳米结构固有特性的基础研究成为可能。 例如，纳米级磁体（包括SMM）容易受到其磁矩（QTM）的量子隧穿的影响，这可能会严重损害它们在磁记录中的有用性，但同时可以为量子计算提供介质。 这项合作将通过SMM合成和高级表征的协调计划解决纳米磁学和QTM中一些重要的开放性基本问题。 SMM晶体内的磁相互作用将通过对分子位点对称性的修饰、分子内交换相互作用、核自旋与电子自旋之间的相互作用以及分子间偶极相互作用而化学地变化。 与这些合成工作平行，SMM将使用量子级特定的电子顺磁共振（EPR）和核磁共振（NMR）光谱和高灵敏度微霍尔效应磁力仪进行表征。 该计划将为研究生和博士后科学家提供最高质量的跨学科研究培训，其中包括新的化学合成方法和先进的磁性测量技术的培训。该项目是一个跨学科的纳米跨学科研究小组（NIRT），将研究纳米尺寸的单分子磁体（SMM）的量子特性。 将磁性器件小型化到这种尺寸对于磁信息存储的进步至关重要，磁信息存储是美国的一个重要产业。传统的磁性纳米结构制备技术存在严重的局限性。 出于这个原因，人们对自下而上或基于分子的方法越来越感兴趣，从而化学合成磁性纳米结构。 这些材料使以前无法访问的磁性纳米结构固有特性的基础研究成为可能。 例如，纳米级磁体（包括SMM）容易受到其磁矩（QTM）的量子隧穿的影响，这可能会严重损害它们在磁信息存储中的有用性，但与此同时，可以为一种新的、可能更快的信息处理类型（称为量子计算）提供介质。 这项合作将解决纳米磁学中一些重要的开放性基础问题，并探索在未来设备中实现SMM的新途径。 这将通过SMM合成和高级表征的协调计划来实现。 该计划将为本科生，研究生和博士后科学家的多元化群体提供最高质量的跨学科研究培训。 学生将接受尖端化学合成和磁性测量技术的培训。 他们的培训还将包括与磁记录行业领先的工业研究人员的互动。

This project is an interdisciplinary Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) that will investigate the quantum properties of nanometer-sized single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The miniaturization of magnetic devices to this size using conventional fabrication techniques is a major scientific challenge. For this reason, there is a growing interest in a bottom-up or molecule-based approach whereby magnetic nanostructures are synthesized chemically using solution methods at room temperature. These materials enable fundamental studies of the properties intrinsic to magnetic nanostructures that have previously been inaccessible. For instance, nanoscale magnets (including SMMs) are susceptible to quantum tunneling of their magnetic moment (QTM), which could seriously impair their usefulness in magnetic recording but, at the same time, could provide a medium for quantum computation. This collaboration will address some of the important open fundamental questions in nanomagnetism and QTM via a concerted program in SMM synthesis and advanced characterization. Magnetic interactions within SMM crystals will be varied chemically through modification to the molecule site symmetry, intramolecular exchange interactions, interactions between nuclear and electronic spins, and intermolecular dipolar interactions. Parallel to these synthetic efforts, SMMs will be characterized using quantum level specific Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies and high sensitivity micro-Hall effect magnetometry. This program will provide the highest quality interdisciplinary research training to a diverse group of graduate students and post-doctoral scientists, which will include training in new chemical synthesis methods and advanced magnetic measurement techniques. %%%This project is an interdisciplinary Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) that will investigate the quantum properties of nanometer-sized single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The miniaturization of magnetic devices to this size is critical to advances in magnetic information storage, which is an important industry in the United States. Conventional techniques used to fabricate magnetic nanostructures have seriously limitations. For this reason, there is a growing interest in a bottom-up or molecule-based approach whereby magnetic nanostructures are synthesized chemically. These materials enable fundamental studies of the properties intrinsic to magnetic nanostructures that have previously been inaccessible. For instance, nanoscale magnets (including SMMs) are susceptible to quantum tunneling of their magnetic moment (QTM), which could seriously impair their usefulness in magnetic information storage, but, at the same time, could provide a medium for a new and potentially much faster type of information processing known as quantum computing. This collaboration will address some of the important open fundamental questions in nanomagnetism and explore new avenues for the implementation of SMMs in future devices. This will be accomplished via a concerted program in SMM synthesis and advanced characterization. This program will provide the highest quality interdisciplinary research training to a diverse group of undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral scientists. Students will be trained in cutting edge chemical synthesis and magnetic measurement techniques. Their training will also include interactions with leading industrial researchers in the magnetic recording industry.