High Field Electrical Polarization and Magnetoelectric Coupling in Chiral Magnet [Cu(pym)(HO)]SiF·HO.

The Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain is a canonical model for understanding many-body gaps that emerge in quantum magnets, and as a result, there has been significant work on this class of materials for much of the past century. Chiral chains, on the other hand, have received markedly less attention. [Cu(pym)(HO)]SiF·HO (pym = pyrimidine) is an = 1/2 chiral antiferromagnet with an unconventional spin gap and no long-range ordering at zero field, features that distinguish it from more conventional spin chains that host simple phase diagrams and no magnetoelectric coupling.

Spectroscopic Analysis of Vibronic Relaxation Pathways in Molecular Spin Qubit [Ho(WO)]: Sparse Spectra Are Key.

Vibrations play a prominent role in magnetic relaxation processes of molecular spin qubits as they couple to spin states, leading to the loss of quantum information. Direct experimental determination of vibronic coupling is crucial to understand and control the spin dynamics of these nano-objects, which represent the limit of miniaturization for quantum devices. Herein, we measure the magneto-infrared properties of the molecular spin qubit system Na[Ho(WO)]·35HO.

Spin-Lattice Coupling Across the Magnetic Quantum-Phase Transition in Copper-Containing Coordination Polymers.

We measured the infrared vibrational properties of two copper-containing coordination polymers, [Cu(pyz)(2-HOpy)](PF) and [Cu(pyz)(4-HOpy)](ClO), under different external stimuli in order to explore the microscopic aspects of spin-lattice coupling. While the temperature and pressure control hydrogen bonding, an applied field drives these materials from the antiferromagnetic → fully saturated state. Analysis of the pyrazine (pyz)-related vibrational modes across the magnetic quantum-phase transition provides a superb local probe of magnetoelastic coupling because the pyz ligand functions as the primary exchange pathway and is present in both systems.

Antiferroelectric Phase Transition in a Proton-Transfer Salt of Squaric Acid and 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine.

A proton-transfer reaction between squaric acid (Hsq) and 2,3-dimethylpyrazine (2,3-Mepyz) results in crystallization of a new organic antiferroelectric (AFE), (2,3-MepyzH)(Hsq)·HO (), which possesses a layered structure. The structure of each layer can be described as partitioned into strips lined with methyl groups of the MepyzH cations and strips featuring extensive hydrogen bonding between the Hsq anions and water molecules. Variable-temperature dielectric measurements and crystal structures determined through a combination of single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction reveal an AFE ordering at 104 K.

Cyclic voltammetry of apple fruits: Memristors in vivo.

A memristor is a resistor with memory that exhibits a pinched hysteretic relationship in cyclic voltammetry. Recently, we have found memristors in the electrical circuitry of plants and seeds. There are no publications in literature about the possible existence of memristors and electrical differentiators in fruits.

Memristors: Memory elements in potato tubers.

A memristor is a nonlinear element because its current-voltage characteristic is similar to that of a Lissajous pattern for nonlinear systems. This element was postulated recently and researchers are looking for it in different biosystems. We investigated electrical circuitry of red Irish potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.