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Measurement of the Relaxation Rate of the Magnetization in Mn{sub 12}O{sub 12} -Acetate Using Proton NMR Echo

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [3]
  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 (United States)
  2. Dipartimento di Fisica ''A. Volta'' e Unita', INFM di Pavia, Via Bassi 6, 27100 Pavia, (Italy)
  3. Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via Maragliano 77, 50144 Firenze, (Italy)
We present a novel method to measure the relaxation rate W of the magnetization of Mn{sub 12}O {sub 12} -acetate (Mn12) magnetic molecular cluster in its S=10 ground state at low T . It is based on the observation of an exponential growth in time of the proton NMR signal during the thermal equilibration of the magnetization of the molecules. We can explain the novel effect with a simple model which relates the intensity of the proton echo signal to the microscopic reversal of the magnetization of each individual Mn12 molecule during the equilibration process. The method should find wide application in the study of magnetic molecular clusters in off-equilibrium conditions. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
OSTI ID:
20215871
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 84; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English