Electronic and magnetic properties in monolayer/substrate interfaces of metallofullerene single molecule magnet Tb2@C79N featuring single-electron Tb-Tb bond

• Applicant: Dr. Alexey A. Popov
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 448005669

Realization of magnetism on a molecular level is technologically very attractive since it promises a dramatic increase of possible storage density and offers a number of spintronics applications. A prerequisite for potential nanodevice implementation of a given single molecule magnet (SMM) is that its magnetic bistability demonstrated in bulk powder or crystal sample should be preserved on a substrate, which will serve as an electrode of a device. The practical realization of such technologies are hampered by difficulties in the obtaining of the well-structurally defined layers of SMMs, and deteriorating effect of metallic substrates on the SMM properties. Encapsulation of lanthanide species within chemically and thermally stable carbon cages opens the possibility for a dramatic improvement of the SMM performance on conducting substrates, which is required for implementation of SMMs in molecular devices. Excellent SMM properties of Tb2deltaC79N azafullerene combined with the protective role of the fullerene cage make this molecule a perfect candidate for improved on-surface SMM performance. In this project we will perform comprehensive studies of the magnetism of Tb2deltaC79N monolayers on the interface with conducting substrates. Vapor deposition of Tb2deltaC79N monolayers on various substrates will be optimized first following the scanning tunneling microscopy study of the layer morphology. Magnetic properties of the monolayers will be then analyzed by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Low-temperature STM technique will be used to analyze electronic properties on the fullerene/substrate interface with molecular resolution. This study will form a background for the potential use of EMF-SMMs in molecular spintronics and quantum information processing.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants