Magnetization Switching of Single Magnetite Nanoparticles Monitored Optically

Magnetic nanomaterials record information as fast as picoseconds in computer memories but retain it for millions of years in ancient rocks. This exceedingly broad range of times is covered by hopping over a potential energy barrier through temperature, ultrafast optical excitation, mechanical stress, or microwaves. As switching depends on nanoparticle size, shape, orientation, and material properties, only single-nanoparticle studies can eliminate the ensemble heterogeneity. Here, we push the sensitivity of photothermal magnetic circular dichroism down to individual 20 nm magnetite nanoparticles. Single-particle magnetization curves display superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic behaviors, depending on the size, shape, and orientation. Some nanoparticles undergo thermally activated switching on time scales of milliseconds to minutes. Surprisingly, the switching barrier varies with time, leading to dynamical heterogeneity, a phenomenon familiar in protein dynamics and supercooled liquids. Our observations will help to identify the external parameters influencing magnetization switching and, eventually, to control it, an important step for many applications.