Magnetic relaxation in single-ion magnets formed by less-studied lanthanide ions Ce(III), Nd(III), Gd(III), Ho(III), Tm(II/III) and Yb(III)

Abstract

Recent growth in the area of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) in general, and single-ion magnets (SIMs) in particular, is due to the potential applications of this class of compounds in high density data storage devices, molecular spintronics and quantum computing devices. Among all the reported SIMs, Dy(III) based symmetry constrained molecules have been achieving the highest barrier of magnetisation reversal (Ueff) and blocking temperature (TB). Apart from Dy(III), SIMs based on two other Ln(III) ions, viz. Er(III) and Tb(III) have also been explored to a considerable extent. However, SIMs formed by other lanthanide ions have remained unexplored to a great extent for various reasons. During the last few years, many successful attempts have however been made to realize SIMs of these less-explored Ln(III) ions, mainly those of Ce(III), Nd(III), Ho(III) and Yb(III) along with Gd(III) and Tm(II/III), with the objective of attaining significant Ueff and TB values through suitably designed ligand field (LF) around the respective prolate or oblate Ln(III) ion. These recent investigations have paved way to a deeper understanding of the relaxation dynamics of these molecules. This review article attempts to summarize the important advances in this area.