Electric field control of spins in molecular magnets

Abstract

Coherent control of individual molecular spins in nano-devices is a pivotal prerequisite for fulfilling the potential promised by molecular spintronics. By applying electric field pulses during time-resolved electron spin resonance measurements, we measure the sensitivity of the spin in several antiferromagnetic molecular nanomagnets to external electric fields. We find a linear electric field dependence of the spin states in Cr${}_7$Mn, an antiferromagnetic ring with a ground-state spin of $S=1$, and in a frustrated Cu${}_3$ triangle, both with coefficients of about $2\mathrm{rad}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}/\mathrm{V}{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}$. Conversely, the antiferromagnetic ring Cr${}_7$Ni, isomorphic with Cr${}_7$Mn but with $S=1/2$, does not exhibit a detectable effect. We propose that the spin-electric field coupling may be used for selectively controlling individual molecules embedded in nanodevices.

6 pages, 3 figures