Assembling Fe single-molecule magnets on a TiO monolayer.

The decoration of technologically relevant surfaces, such as metal oxides, with Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) constitutes a persistent challenge for the integration of these molecular systems into novel technologies and, in particular, for the development of spintronic and quantum devices. We used UHV thermal sublimation to deposit tetrairon(III) propeller-shaped SMMs (Fe) as a single layer on a TiO ultrathin film grown on Cu(001). The properties of the molecular deposit were studied using a multi-technique approach based on standard topographic and spectroscopic measurements, which demonstrated that molecules remain largely intact upon deposition.

Orbital Magnetic Moment and Single-Ion Magnetic Anisotropy of the = 1/2 K[Fe(CN)] Compound: A Case Where the Orbital Magnetic Moment Dominates the Spin Magnetic Moment.

The potassium hexacyanoferrate(III), K[Fe(CN)], is known for its exceptional magnetic anisotropy among the 3d transition metal series. The Fe(III) ions are in the = 1/2 low spin state imposed by the strong crystal field of the cyanido ligands. A large orbital magnetic moment is expected from previous publications.

Metal-to-metal electron transfer in a cyanido-bridged {FeCo} square complex followed by X-ray diffraction and absorption techniques.

The switching properties of a cyanido-bridged Fe/Co square molecule were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy at both Fe and Co K-edges. Combining these two techniques, a complete picture of the thermal-, light- and X-ray-induced metal-to-metal electron transfer is obtained, illustrating the concerted role played by the Fe and Co sites.

Magnetic molecules as local sensors of topological hysteresis of superconductors.

Superconductors and magnetic materials, including molecules, are key ingredients for quantum computing and spintronics. However, only a little is known about how these materials interact in multilayer nanostructures like the hybrid architectures nowadays under development for such advanced applications. Here, we show that a single layer of magnetic molecules, Terbium(III) bis-phthalocyaninato (TbPc) complexes, deposited under controlled UHV conditions on a superconducting Pb(111) surface is sensitive to the topology of the intermediate state of the superconductor, namely to the presence and evolution of superconducting and normal domains due to screening and penetration of an external magnetic field.