Bistable Easy-Plane Molecular Nanomagnets Stephen O. Hill, Florida State University, DMR 0804408

1. Bistable Easy-Plane Molecular NanomagnetsStephen O. Hill, Florida State University, DMR 0804408 Molecules that exhibit slow magnetic relaxation upon removal from a polarizing magnetic field, referred to as single-molecule magnets (SMMs), have received considerable attention owing to their potential utility in applications such as spin-based information storage. The slow relaxation in SMMs normally arises from the action of an easy-axis magnetic anisotropy, quantified by a negative axial zero-field splitting parameter, D, on a high-spin ground state, S. Two separate high field EPR studies have identified compounds that undergo slow relaxation, even though the relevant magnetic ions possess easy-plane (D > 0) anisotropy. A theoretical model was developed to account for this behavior in the study involving a MnIIReIV chain (right). Indeed, fundamentally new mechanisms seem to underpin the slow relaxation in both cases, suggesting new strategies for designing SMMs. Citations: Slow Magnetic Relaxation Induced by a Large Transverse Zero-Field Splitting in a MnIIReIV(CN)2 Single-Chain Magnet, X. Feng et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 7521–7529 (2012); Slow magnetic relaxation in a pseudotetrahedral cobalt(II) complex with easy-plane anisotropy, J. Zadrozny et al., Chem. Comm.48, 3927-3929 (2012) – featured on the cover of the journal (see above).

2. Bistable Easy-Plane Molecular NanomagnetsStephen O. Hill, Florida State University, DMR 0804408 The PIs group group hosted the inaugural Magneto-structural Correlations Workshop in April 2012. The event attracted 45 participants from six countries (France, Scotland, England, Germany and Canada the US). Aside from two tutorials by locals, and two seminars by senior visitors, the remaining 21 talks were given by graduate students and postdocs; they were each given 50 minutes, but asked to prepare 30 minute talks so as to leave lots of time for discussion. This format worked very well, with plenty of lively debate involving both the students and senior researchers. The PI was also involved in the inaugural FSU Undergraduate Summer School on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. This event, which included lectures and practicals focused on various topics in magnetism, including EPR spectroscopy, was attended by 13 undergraduates selected from a diverse pool of US applicants. The photos left were taken at these two events.