Magnetization measurements of a molecular clusters Mn12 with a spin ground state of S = 10 show resonance tunneling at avoided energy level crossings. The observed oscillations of the tunnel probability as a function of the magnetic field applied along the hard anisotropy axis are due to topological quantum phase interference of two tunnel paths of opposite windings. Mn12 is therefore the second molecular clusters presenting quantum phase interference.
A Mn4 single-molecule magnet displays asymmetric Berry-phase interference patterns in the transverse-field (HT) dependence of the magnetization tunneling probability when a longitudinal field (HL) is present, contrary to symmetric patterns observed for HL=0. Reversal of HL results in a reflection of the transverse-field asymmetry about HT=0, as expected on the basis of the time-reversal invariance of the spin-orbit Hamiltonian which is responsible for the tunneling oscillations. A fascinating motion of Berry-phase minima within the transverse-field magnitude-direction phase space results from a competition between noncollinear magnetoanisotropy tensors at the two distinct Mn sites.
Berry phase effects in spin systems lead to the suppression of tunneling effects when different tunneling paths interfere destructively. Such effects have been seen in several single-molecule magnets (SMMs) through measurements of magnetization dynamics, where the experimental signal may arise from the contributions of numerous energy levels. Here we present experimental measurements of Berry phase interference effects that are determined through electron-spin resonance on a four-fold symmetric SMM. Specifically, we measure transitions between tunnel-split excited states in the Ni$_4$ SMM in the presence of a transverse field in the hard plane of the crystalline sample. By using a home-built rotation apparatus, the direction of the sample can be changed textit{in situ} so that that the field direction can be swept through the entire hard plane of the sample. When the field is in certain directions in the plane, we observe a splitting of the transition, a hallmark of Berry phase interference. The experimental results are well reproduced by theoretical predictions, and fitting of the data provides information about the effects of dipolar interactions and sample misalignment.
In this work we study theoretically the coupling of single molecule magnets (SMMs) to a variety of quantum circuits, including microwave resonators with and without constrictions and flux qubits. The main results of this study is that it is possible to achieve strong and ultrastrong coupling regimes between SMM crystals and the superconducting circuit, with strong hints that such a coupling could also be reached for individual molecules close to constrictions. Building on the resulting coupling strengths and the typical coherence times of these molecules (of the order of microseconds), we conclude that SMMs can be used for coherent storage and manipulation of quantum information, either in the context of quantum computing or in quantum simulations. Throughout the work we also discuss in detail the family of molecules that are most suitable for such operations, based not only on the coupling strength, but also on the typical energy gaps and the simplicity with which they can be tuned and oriented. Finally, we also discuss practical advantages of SMMs, such as the possibility to fabricate the SMMs ensembles on the chip through the deposition of small droplets.
The magnetic properties of a monolayer of Mn12 single molecule magnets grafted onto a Si substrate have been investigated using depth-controlled $beta$-detected nuclear magnetic resonance. A low energy beam of spin polarized radioactive 8Li was used to probe the local static magnetic field distribution near the Mn12 monolayer in the Si substrate. The resonance linewidth varies strongly as a function of implantation depth as a result of the magnetic dipolar fields generated by the Mn12 electronic magnetic moments. The temperature dependence of the linewidth indicates that the magnetic properties of the Mn12 moments in this low dimensional configuration differ from bulk Mn12.
We study the magnetic relaxation rate Gamma of the single-molecule magnet Mn_{12}-tBuAc as a function of magnetic field component H_T transverse to the molecules easy axis. When the spin is near a magnetic quantum tunneling resonance, we find that Gamma increases abruptly at certain values of H_T. These increases are observed just beyond values of H_T at which a geometric-phase interference effect suppresses tunneling between two excited energy levels. The effect is washed out by rotating H_T away from the spins hard axis, thereby suppressing the interference effect. Detailed numerical calculations of Gamma using the known spin Hamiltonian accurately reproduce the observed behavior. These results are the first experimental evidence for geometric-phase interference in a single-molecule magnet with true four-fold symmetry.