Eur. Phys. J. B 73, 103-108 (2010)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2009-00430-x

Loss of single-molecule-magnet behavior of a Mn₁₂-based compound assembled in a monolayer

¹ IPCMS, CNRS-UMR 7504, Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue du Lœss, BP43, 67034 Strasbourg, France
² CELLS-ALBA Edifici Cn.- Mòdul C/3 Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
³ Paul Scherer Institut – Swiss Light Source 5232 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland

Corresponding author: jean-louis.gallani@ipcms.u-strasbg.fr

Received: 30 March 2009
Revised: 19 October 2009
Published online: 17 December 2009

Abstract

Magnetic circular dichroism magnetization measurements on a monolayer of single molecule magnets have been performed and the results are presented. At the measurement temperature (2 K) the hysteresis cycle shows no opening, contrary to what is seen in the bulk with SQUID magnetometry. This result could surprisingly imply that XMCD is unsuited for such measurements given the fact that it excites the core electrons at the origin of the magnetism. This result could also mean that the blocking temperature is greatly decreased or that these molecules loose their hallmark when deposited as adsorbed films, precluding therefore their much sought-after use in magnetic memories.