Breaking the ring: ⁵³Cr-NMR on the Cr₈Cd molecular nanomagnet

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Magnetism
• Molecular Magnetism

Background:

• Accurate characterization of finite antiferromagnetic (AF) spin chains is vital for spintronics and quantum computation.
• Molecular AF rings offer tunable topological and geometrical properties alongside AF chain quantum-magnetic behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the local spin densities on Cr sites within the Cr8Cd molecular ring.
• To utilize the Cr8Cd ring as a model system for a finite AF open chain with an even number of spins.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of 53Cr-NMR spectra of the Cr8Cd ring.
• Analysis of NMR resonant frequencies to determine local spin densities.

Main Results:

• NMR resonant frequencies align well with theoretical local spin densities, using a core polarization field of AC = -12.7 T μB−1.
• Experimental results confirm the theoretically predicted non-collinear spin arrangement in the Cr8Cd ring.

Conclusions:

• The Cr8Cd ring serves as an effective model for even-open AF spin chains.
• NMR measurements validate theoretical predictions of spin arrangement in finite AF systems, advancing their potential applications.