The magnetic moments of the three organic molecules and the cobalt surface align very stably relative to each other.
Credit: M. Gruber, KIT
A thin layer of organic molecules can stabilize the magnetic orientation of a cobalt surface. “This special interaction between organic molecules and metal surfaces could help to manufacture information storage systems in a more simple, flexible and cheaper way,” explains Wulf Wulfhekel from KIT. Microscopic magnets with constant orientation are used in hard disks, for example. With a view to “printable electronics,” organic molecules indeed could open up new simple production methods utilizing the self-organization of molecules.
METHOD: 3 molecular layers of the dye phtalocynine were applied to the surface of ferromagnetic cobalt. Whereas the magnetic moments of the molecules alternatingly align relative to the cobalt and relative to each other, the molecules form a so-called antiferromagnetic arrangement. The magnetic orientation of this combination of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic materials remains relatively stable even in the presence of external magnetic fields or cooling. “Surprisingly, the “lightweight” molecule wins this magnetic arm wrestling with the “heavyweight” ferromagnetic material and determines the respective properties,”. Systems of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic materials, among others, are used in hard disk reading heads. So far, manufacturing of antiferromagnets has been quite complex and time-consuming. Should molecules be suitable for use in the production, the antiferromagnets one day will simply come out of the printer. http://www.kit.edu/kit/english/pi_2015_082_spintronics-molecules-stabilizing-magnetism.php
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