Molecular-scale dynamics of light-induced spin cross-over in a two-dimensional layer

作者：Bairagi Kaushik; Iasco Olga; Bellec Amandine^*; Kartsev Alexey; Li Dongzhe; Lagoute Jerome; Chacon Cyril; Girard Yann; Rousset Sylvie; Miserque Frederic; Dappe Yannick J; Smogunov Alexander; Barreteau Cyrille; Boillot Marie Laure; Mallah Talal; Repain Vincent

来源：Nature Communications, 2016, 7(1): 12212.

DOI：10.1038/ncomms12212

Spin cross-over molecules show the unique ability to switch between two spin states when submitted to external stimuli such as temperature, light or voltage. If controlled at the molecular scale, such switches would be of great interest for the development of genuine molecular devices in spintronics, sensing and for nanomechanics. Unfortunately, up to now, little is known on the behaviour of spin cross-over molecules organized in two dimensions and their ability to show cooperative transformation. Here we demonstrate that a combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy measurements and ab initio calculations allows discriminating unambiguously between both states by local vibrational spectroscopy. We also show that a single layer of spin cross-over molecules in contact with a metallic surface displays light-induced collective processes between two ordered mixed spin-state phases with two distinct timescale dynamics. These results open a way to molecular scale control of two-dimensional spin cross-over layers.

• 出版日期2016-7
• 单位中国地震局