SINGLE MOLECULE MAGNETS:

Abstract

The utilisation of quantum properties can largely impact how technological devices work. Up to date, the acquired knowledge of the quantum nature of several systems inspired the proposal of several novel technologies such as quantum sensing, quantum simulation and quantum computing. Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) represent a class of quantum objects with promising properties to be exploited in quantum technologies. As of today, SMMs have been shown to possess bewildering quantum effects such as Quantum Tunnelling of the Magnetisation (QTM), quantisation of the energy manifold, coherence, spin parity effects and entanglement, among others. Furthermore, they have been successfully integrated into hybrid single-molecule spintronic devices, such as spin transistors and spin valves, hence, propitiating extensive investigation of technological applications. In this Review Article, some key quantum aspects, which make SMMs promising systems for technological proposals, are revised. Moreover, single-molecule devices, in which SMMs have been integrated in hybrid devices, as well as the technological applications such as quantum sensing, quantum simulation and quantum computing are described.

Keywords

• Quantum sensors
• quantum simulations
• quantum computation
• spin transistor
• spin valve
• quantum bit