Bipolar magnetization switching and its control in a Prussian blue type molecular magnetic compound

Abstract

Prussian blue analogue (PBA) molecular magnetic materials have opened up the possibility of combining the molecular functionalities with their magnetic properties. A tremendous effort is on for finding appropriate PBAs that are suitable for memory and sensor applications. We have observed the magnetic pole reversal in multi-metal Prussian blue type compounds {CuxMn 1-x}1.5[Fe(CN)6].zH2O. Our molecular field theory calculations agree very well with the observed temperature dependent magnetization reversal behaviour. As the applied magnetic field is increased, the negative magnetization keeps changing its character and finally becomes positive with typical ferrimagnetic/ferromagnetic type behaviour. A highly reversible-bipolar switching of magnetization using low applied magnetic fields is demonstrated. Possible applications of the observed magnetic pole reversal phenomenon in novel magneto-electronic devices such as volatile magnetic memory and thermo-magnetic switches have been revealed. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.