Scientists Look for More Molecular Magnets for Improving Spin Electronics and Quantum-Scale Computing

Chemical engineers from Germany's University of Stuttgart and the Portugal's University of Lisbon collaborated to develop an approach that could synthesize and characterize a range of cobalt molecules with similar properties to those found in molecular magnets. The study was presented to contribute insights into the development of quantum computers.

Magnetization, Data, and Information Technologies

In the current century, a series of innovations have been applied to the manipulation and exchange of data, some of which are now mass-produced and are commonly used by many people.

These information technologies helped develop electronic devices that have been useful to many industries and scientific fields. Today, experts are looking for a better way to speed up data processing and simulation by creating models that exceed the current capacities of the usual computers available on the market.

B assembling these machines, computation methods would be far more efficient and powerful for many subjects that require elaborate simulations to be answered. One approach embedded in today's electronic devices is storing binary systems and changing two stable states under the right conditions through a type of stimulus.

This was improved through spin electronics or spintronics, inspired by how the electron moves to store binary information. The method was later integrated for a more intense data-storing process, faster computation, and lower densities.

Scientists from the University of Stuttgart and the University of Lisbon joined to research a group of cobalt molecules that could change between two separate magnetic states at low temperatures.

The bi-stability of these molecules is considered molecular magnets that allow an efficient but accurate response to paramagnetic resonance and other magnetic fields, reports Eurasia Review.

Previous studies on cobalt complexes held by the team involved the computational studies on atomistic models and the physical origin of their properties and their functions that would benefit optimal and high-performance computing.

Molecular Magnets for Improving Spintronics and Quantum Computers

Findings revealed that the best work when pushed to limits via the characterization methods like high-field electronic paramagnetic resonance, an approach that allows the evaluation response when exposed to magnetic fields.

Lisbon's Faculty of Sciences specialist and co-author of the study Nuno Bandeira explained that single-molecule magnets require two separate research: the first, focusing on lanthanide complexes and the second, focusing on first-row transition metals.

The two fields should work together to procure a better solution to make the metal perform its magnetization than expected. The combination of these fields would allow experts to assemble a large magnetization reversal barrier and allow certain metals to function at relatively higher heat.

The study's results set up further research regarding developing and designing newer types of ligands that could perform better with molecular magnets under extreme temperatures. The applications that would benefit the most from these results are quantum-scale computing and spintronics.

The journal Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers published the study titled "Single-ion magnet behavior in homoleptic Co(ii) complexes bearing 2-iminopyrrolyl ligands."

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