Visualizing the spin of individual molecules

Low-temperature spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy is employed to study spin transport across single Cobalt-Phathalocyanine molecules adsorbed on well characterized magnetic nanoleads. A spin-polarized electronic resonance is identified over the center of the molecule and exploited to spatially resolve stationary spin states. These states reflect two molecular spin orientations and, as established by density functional calculations, originate from a ferromagnetic molecule-lead superexchange interaction mediated by the organic ligands

Magnetoresistance through a single molecule

The use of single molecules to design electronic devices is an extremely challenging and fundamentally different approach to further downsizing electronic circuits. Two-terminal molecular devices such as diodes were first predicted [1] and, more recently, measured experimentally [2]. The addition of a gate then enabled the study of molecular transistors [3-5]. In general terms, in order to increase data processing capabilities, one may not only consider the electron's charge but also its spin [6,7]. This concept has been pioneered in giant magnetoresistance (GMR) junctions that consist of thin metallic films [8,9]. Spin transport across molecules, i.e. Molecular Spintronics remains, however, a challenging endeavor. As an important first step in this field, we have performed an experimental and theoretical study on spin transport across a molecular GMR junction consisting of two ferromagnetic electrodes bridged by a single hydrogen phthalocyanine (H2Pc) molecule. We observe that even though H2Pc in itself is nonmagnetic, incorporating it into a molecular junction can enhance the magnetoresistance by one order of magnitude to 52%.Comment: To appear in Nature Nanotechnology. Present version is the first submission to Nature Nanotechnology, from May 18th, 201

Controlling spins in adsorbed molecules by a chemical switch

The development of chemical systems with switchable molecular spins could lead to the architecture of materials with controllable magnetic or spintronic properties. Here, we present conclusive evidence that the spin of an organometallic molecule coupled to a ferromagnetic substrate can be switched between magnetic off and on states by a chemical stimulus. This is achieved by nitric oxide (NO) functioning as an axial ligand of cobalt(II)tetraphenylporphyrin (CoTPP) ferromagnetically coupled to nickel thin-film (Ni(001)). On NO addition, the coordination sphere of Co2+ is modified and a NO–CoTPP nitrosyl complex is formed, which corresponds to an off state of the Co spin. Thermal dissociation of NO from the nitrosyl complex restores the on state of the Co spin. The NO-induced reversible off–on switching of surface-adsorbed molecular spins observed here is attributed to a spin trans effect

Detection of Magnetic Force Fields at Macroscopic Distances with a Micromechanical Cantilever Oscillator

International audienceWe report a procedure for measuremingt magnetic field gradients generated by a macroscopic coil. A micromechanical cantilever oscillator covered with a magnetic material is used to detect variations of the magnetic force field at distances exceeding several times the coil diameter (4 mm). The detection is based on the phase of the first eigenmode of the cantilever while modulating the magnetic field at low frequencies. The nanoscale oscillation of the cantilever along with the high-quality resonance factor are responsible for a coherent oscillation allowing high sensitivity. A detection sensitivity, under ambient conditions, of the order of 10-13 T/nm 2 is estimated with the help of numerical calculations. The approach is useful for measuring the spatial variation of the magnetic field gradients generated by any source of magnetic field when the magnetic field can be modified at rates below the resonant frequency of the cantilever. These results can be useful for gradient fields monitoring in macro-and micro-scale magnetic resonance imaging, non-contact electric currents identification from stray magnetic fields, electrical power monitoring, 3D-magnetic fields mapping, or miniature orientation devices

Magnetic force fields of isolated small nanoparticle clusters

International audienceThe usage of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) in applications necessitates a precise mastering of their properties at the single nanoparticle level. There has been a lot of progress in the understanding of the magnetic properties of NPs, but incomparably less when interparticle interactions govern the overall magnetic response. Here, we present a quantitative investigation of magnetic fields generated by small clusters of NPs assembled on a dielectric non-magnetic surface. Structures ranging from individual NPs to fifth-fold particulate clusters are investigated in their magnetization saturation state by magnetic force microscopy and numerical calculations. It is found that the magnetic stray field does not increase proportionally with the number of NPs in the cluster. Both measured and calculated magnetic force fields underline the great importance of the exact spatial arrangement of NPs, shedding light on the magnetic force field distribution of particulate clusters, which is relevant for the quantitative evaluation of their magnetization and perceptibly for many applications

Origanum vulgare mediated green synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles simultaneously possessing plasmonic, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Daniela Benedec,1,* Ilioara Oniga,1,* Flavia Cuibus,1 Bogdan Sevastre,2 Gabriela Stiufiuc,3 Mihaela Duma,4 Daniela Hanganu,1 Cristian Iacovita,1 Rares Stiufiuc,1,5 Constantin Mihai Lucaciu1 1Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3Faculty of Physics, “Babeş Bolyai” University, 4State Veterinary Laboratory for Animal Health and Safety, 5Department of Bionanoscopy, MedFuture Research Center for Advance Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania *These authors contributed equally to this work Purpose: The leaves and flowering stem of Origanum vulgare contain essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids and anthocyanins. We propose a new, simple, one-pot, O. vulgare extract (OVE) mediated green synthesis method of biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possessing improved antioxidant, antimicrobial and plasmonic properties.Materials and methods: Different concentrations of OVEs were used to reduce gold ions and to synthetize biocompatible spherical AuNPs. Their morphology and physical properties have been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, whereas their plasmonic properties have been tested using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The antioxidant properties of nanoparticles (NPs) have been evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, and the antimicrobial tests were performed using the disk diffusion assay. Their cytotoxicity has been assessed by means of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Results: The experimental results confirmed the successful synthesis of biocompatible, spherical, plasmonic NPs having a mean diameter of ~40 nm and an outstanding aqueous stability. This new class of NPs exhibits a very good antioxidant activity and presents interesting inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Due to their plasmonic properties, AuNPs are used as SERS substrates for the detection of a test molecule (methylene blue) up to a concentration of 10-7 M and a pharmaceutical compound (propranolol) in solution. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that AuNPs are better tolerated by normal human dermal fibroblast cells, while the melanoma cancer cells are more sensitive.Conclusion: The biocompatible AuNPs synthetized using OVEs showed significant bactericidal and antimycotic activities, the most sensitive microorganisms being S. aureus and C. albicans, both commonly involved in various dermatological infections. Moreover, the significant antioxidant effect might recommend their use for protective and/or preventive effect in various skin inflammatory conditions, including the reduction in side effects in dermatological infections. Meanwhile, the as-synthesized biocompatible AuNPs can be successfully used as SERS substrates for the detection of pharmaceutical compounds in aqueous solutions. Keywords: green nanoparticles’ synthesis, toxicity, antioxidant activity, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, SER

Dispersion and Localization of Electronic States at a Ferrocene/Cu(111) Interface

Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy combined with first-principles simulations reveal a nondissociative physisorption of ferrocene molecules on a Cu(111) surface, giving rise to ordered molecular layers. At the interface, a 2D-like electronic band is found, which shows an identical dispersion as the Cu(111) Shockley surface-state band. Subsequent deposition of Cu atoms forms charged organometallic compounds that localize interface-state electrons

A controlled quantum SWAP logic gate in a 4-center metal complex

Proceedings of the 2nd AtMol European WorkshopInternational audienceA monomolecular four center low spin paramagnetic organometallic complex is proposed and theoretically studied to work as a controlled quantum swap molecule logic gate. The magnetic super-exchange interaction between the 2 in-tramolecular qubits depends on the oxydation state of a third intermediate center itself controlled by an intervalence electron transfer process. A model system is build up using entangled spin qubits in the framework of an Heisenberg-Dirac-Van Vleck like spin Hamiltonian demonstrating the effective swapping operation of this complex