Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
Published on: January 9, 2014
Photomagnetism in clusters and extended molecule-based magnets
Anne Bleuzen1, Valérie Marvaud, Corine Mathoniere
1Chimie Inorganique, Institut de Chimie Moleculaire et des Materiaux d'Orsay, CNRS Unit 8182, Universite Paris-Sud, Batiment 420, 91405 Orsay, France. annebleuzen@icmo.u-psud.fr
Photomagnetism, a phenomenon altering magnetism with light, is explored in molecular systems. This study focuses on metal-metal electron transfer in Cu-Mo, Co-Fe, and Co-W systems, detailing their characteristics and applications.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Magnetism
- Photomagnetism
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- Photomagnetism, the light-induced alteration of magnetic properties in molecular systems, emerged from studies on spin-crossover complexes in the early 1980s.
- This phenomenon involves changes in a system's magnetism upon photon absorption.
- The current research focuses on photomagnetism driven by metal-metal electron transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and explore photomagnetism in molecular systems.
- To investigate photomagnetism in specific metal-metal systems (Cu-Mo, Co-Fe, Co-W).
- To analyze the characteristics and applications of photomagnetism in extended and molecular units.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on photomagnetism.
- Analysis of photomagnetic phenomena in Cu-Mo, Co-Fe, and Co-W systems.
- Characterization through structural, spectroscopic, magnetic, thermodynamic, and kinetic studies.
Main Results:
- Detailed discussion of photomagnetism in Cu-Mo, Co-Fe, and Co-W systems.
- Exploration of the conditions for photomagnetism appearance and its characteristics.
- Examination of applications in both extended structures and molecular units.
Conclusions:
- Photomagnetism in molecular systems is a rapidly expanding field with significant potential.
- The interaction of photons with magnetic matter offers novel magnetic properties.
- Future research is expected to further advance the understanding and application of photomagnetism.
Related Concept Videos
Diamagnetism
Diamagnetism was discovered by Anton Brugmans in 1778 when he observed that bismuth gets repelled by magnetic fields, thus theorizing that diamagnets get repelled by magnets.
Paramagnetism
π Electron Effects on Chemical Shift: Overview
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Ferromagnetism
Potential Due to a Magnetized Object
The vector...

