Molecular spintronics using noncollinear magnetic molecules

We investigate the spin transport through strongly anisotropic noncollinear magnetic molecules and find that the noncollinear magnetization acts as a spin-switching device for the current. Moreover, spin currents are shown to offer a viable route to selectively prepare the molecular device in one of two degenerate noncollinear magnetic states. Spin-currents can be also used to create a non-zero density of toroidal magnetization in a recently characterized Dy_3 noncollinear magnet.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Exchange interaction between JJ-multiplets

Analytical expressions for the exchange interaction between $J$-multiplets of interacting metallic centers are derived on the basis of a complete electronic model. A common belief that this interaction can be approximated by an isotropic form $\propto {\mathbf{J}}_1\cdot{\mathbf{J}}_2$ (or $\propto {\mathbf{J}}_1\cdot{\mathbf{S}}_2$ in the case of interaction with an isotropic spin) is found to be ungrounded. It is also shown that the often used "1/U approximation" for the description of the kinetic contribution of the exchange interaction is not valid in the case of $J$-multiplets. The developed theory can be used for microscopic description of exchange interaction in materials containing lanthanides, actinides and some transition metal ions.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figure

Secular non-secular master equation

Redfield non-secular master equation governing relaxation of a spin in weak interaction with a thermal bath is studied. Using the fact that the relaxation follows the exponential law, we prove that in most cases the semi-secular approximation is sufficient to find the system relaxation rate. Based on this, a "secular" form of the non-secular master equation is for the first time developed which correctly set up one of most fundamental equations in relaxation investigation. This key secular form allows us to derive a general formula of the phonon-induced quantum tunneling rate which is valid for the entire range of temperature regardless of the basis. In incoherent tunneling regime and localized basis, this formula reduces to the ubiquitous incoherent tunneling rate. Meanwhile, in eigenstates basis, this tunneling rate is demonstrated to be equal to zero. From this secular form, we end the controversy surrounding the selection of basis for the secular approximation by figuring out the conditions for using this approximation in localized and eigenstates basis. Particularly, secular approximation in localized basis is justified in the regime of high temperature and small tunnel splittings. In contrast, a large ground doublet's tunnel splitting is required for the secular approximation in eigenstates basis. With these findings, this research lays a sound foundation for any treatments of the spin-phonon relaxation under any conditions provided that the non-secular master equation is relevant.Comment: 9 pages, 0 figure