Quantum phase interference and spin parity in Mn12 single-molecule magnets
arXiv:cond-mat/0503193 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.037203
Abstract
Magnetization measurements of Mn12 molecular nanomagnets with spin ground states of S = 10 and S = 19/2 showresonance 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. Spin-parity dependent tunneling is established by comparing the quantum phase interference of integer and half-integer spin systems.
5 pages, 5 figures