Molecular-scale dynamics of light-induced spin cross-over in a two-dimensional layer

Spin cross-over molecules show the unique ability to switch between two spin states when submitted to external stimuli such as temperature, light or voltage. If controlled at the molecular scale, such switches would be of great interest for the development of genuine molecular devices in spintronics, sensing and for nanomechanics. Unfortunately, up to now, little is known on the behaviour of spin cross-over molecules organized in two dimensions and their ability to show cooperative transformation. Here we demonstrate that a combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy measurements and ab initio calculations allows discriminating unambiguously between both states by local vibrational spectroscopy. We also show that a single layer of spin cross-over molecules in contact with a metallic surface displays light-induced collective processes between two ordered mixed spin-state phases with two distinct timescale dynamics. These results open a way to molecular scale control of two-dimensional spin cross-over layers

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Anisotropie magnétique et transition de spin aux interfaces molécule-métal

L'utilisation de matériaux organiques pour l'électronique de spin suscite actuellement un fort intérêt. En effet, le long temps de diffusion de spin, la possibilité de manipuler l'état de spin d'une molécule ainsi que son interaction avec une surface magnétique offrent a priori de nouvelles possibilités pour la réalisation de nouveaux dispositifs d'électronique de spin. L'incorporation dans des dispositifs de molécules possédant deux états de spin nécessite la compréhension du phénomène de transition de spin une fois que les molécules sont en contact direct avec des surfaces métalliques.L'objectif de ce travail de thèse est l'étude des interfaces molécule-métal. Dans une première partie, nous avons étudié le magnétisme d'interfaces ferromagnétique-organique en utilisant différentes molécules et différents métaux ferromagnétiques. Nous nous sommes particulièrement intéresses a l'anisotropie magnétique dans ces systèmes. Dans une deuxième partie, nous avons étudié le phénomène de transition de spin moléculaire en contact avec une surface métallique. La spectroscopie d'absorption et le dichroïsme magnétique des rayons x ont d'abord permis de mettre en évidence cette transition à l'échelle globale ensuite, nous avons utilise la microscopie a effet tunnel pour étudier ce phénomène à l'échelle moléculaire dans un cristal 2d de molécule. Nous avons notamment observe la dynamique de la transition sous irradiation laser pour la première fois à l'échelle moléculaire.The use of organic materials in spintronic devices has recently raised a lot of interest. Large spin diffusion time in organic materials along with the flexibility of manipulating the spin state of the molecule and their interaction with the ferromagnetic metal electrode offers new functionalities in molecular spintronics. Understanding the spin crossover (sco) phenomenon for spin active molecules attached to metallic substrate is also necessary for a primary step towards device application.The main goal of the thesis work was to study these molecule—metal interfaces. In one part, we have studied the magnetism of the organic—ferromagnetic interface with different molecules and different ferromagnetic metals. The study was mainly focused on the magnetic anisotropy at the molecule-metal interfaces. In other part, we focused on the spin crossover phenomena of sco molecules attached to metallic substrates. X—ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism techniques enabled us to study globally the spin crossover phenomenon. Using scanning tunneling microscopy we were able to study the sco phenomena at the single molecular level in a 2d crystal of molecules on a metal substrate. We have then studied locally the dynamics of the spin transition phenomenon upon laser exposure on a single 2d layer molecular crystal

Gate-tunable graphene-organic interface barrier for vertical transistor and logic inverter

One of the key requirements for efficient organic-electronic devices is the creation of a negligible energy barrier for carrier injection at the metal-organic interface. Here, a graphene-organic interface with an almost negligible energy barrier is demonstrated in a high-performance hybrid heterojunction device. The gate-tunable current-voltage characteristics show that the electronic transport can be tuned from an interface-limited to a bulk-dominated regime by lowering the graphene-organic interface energy barrier. N-type transistors with a PTCDI-C8 organic thin film as an active layer provide an ON-OFF current ratio of similar to 10(7), while similar p-type transistors with a CuPc molecular layer reach an ON-OFF current ratio of similar to 10(5). Furthermore, logic inverters with standby current as low as similar to 1 pA are demonstrated using a combination of both n- and p-type transistors. Published by AIP Publishing. (c) 2018 Aauthor(s

Negative Differential Resistance in Spin-Crossover Molecular Devices

International audienceWe demonstrate, based on low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy, a pronounced negative differential resistance (NDR) in spin-crossover (SCO) molecular devices, where a Fe II SCO molecule is deposited on surfaces. The STM measurements reveal that the NDR is robust with respect to substrate materials, temperature, and the number of SCO layers. This indicates that the NDR is intrinsically related to the electronic structure of the SCO molecule. Experimental results are supported by density functional theory (DFT) with non-equilibrium Green's functions (NEGF) calculations and a generic theoretical model. While the DFT+NEGF calculations reproduce NDR for a special atomically-sharp STM tip, the effect is attributed to the energy-dependent tip density of states rather than the molecule itself. We, therefore, propose a Coulomb blockade model involving three molecular orbitals with very different spatial localization as suggested by the molecular electronic structure

Imprint from ferromagnetic skyrmions in an antiferromagnet via exchange bias

International audienceMagnetic skyrmions are topological spin textures holding great potential as nanoscale information carriers. Recently, skyrmions have been predicted in antiferromagnets, with key advantages in terms of stability, size and dynamical properties over their ferromagnetic analogs. However, their experimental demonstration is lacking. Here we show the imprint from ferromagnetic skyrmions into a thin film of an IrMn antiferromagnet, at room temperature and zero external magnetic field, using exchange-bias. Using the high-spatial-resolution magnetic microscopy technique XMCDPEEM, we observed the imprinted spin textures within the IrMn from the XMCD signal of the uncompensated Mn spins at the interface. This result opens up a path for logic and memory devicesbased on skyrmion manipulation in antiferromagnets