B020967 - MOLECULAR MAGNETISM

Italian

Students should acquire the ability to establish basic correlation between molecular structure and magnetic properties. The student should also acquire a basic expertise in the use of the Spin Hamiltonian as well as in the use of the most employed experimental techniques. At the end of the course the student should be able to identify the cases where the investigation of magnetic properties can offer additional information on the chemical and electronic structure.
The student should also be able to choose the best suited investigation technique among those studied in the course.

Principal classes of molecular magnetic materials. Magnetic interactions exchange and dipolar interaction, magnetic anisotropy. Spin Hamiltonian formalism. Magneto-structural correlations
Main experimental techniques in magnetism: ac and dc magnetometry, electron paramagnetic resonance. Bistability and hysteresis in molecular and nanoscopic magnetic materials. The process of inversion of the magnetization. Quantum effects in the magnetization dynamics.

Courses recommended: Chimica Inorganica Superiore

Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 40
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 12
54

It is possible to take the exam by performing a short practice in the laboratory of magnetism followed by an analysis of the data collected and the discussion of a short report prepared by the student.
Alternatively a standard exam based on questions on the subjects of the program can be chosen.

a) Principal classes of molecular and nanoscopic materials of interest in magnetism and most employed synthetic approaches.
b) Electronic structure and magnetic properties. Brief overview of: single ion levels; groups theory; ligand field theory.
c) Spin Hamiltonian formalism, magnetic anisotropy, Exchange and dipolar interactions.
d) Experimental techniques in molecular magnetism: DC magnetometry and ac susceptometry; Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR).
e) Principal classes of electronic and magnetic bistability and their applications. Magnetic hysteresis in molecular and nanoscopic materials. Analogies and differences between molecular materials and magnetic nanoparticles.

Gatteschi, Sessoli, Villain, “Molecular Nanomagnets” Oxford University Press 2006 (available in the library)
Olivier Kahn “Molecular Magnetism” Wiley 1993 (available on request)

Material used during lectures available in electronic format.

Students are received every day upon appointment.