Direct observation of electric field-induced magnetism in a molecular magnet

Abstract

We report the direct observation of an electrically-induced magnetic susceptibility in the molecular nano- magnet [Fe3O(O2CPh)6(py)3]ClO4·py, an Fe3 trimer. This magnetoelectric effect results from the breaking of spatial inversion symmetry due to the spin configurations of the antiferromagnetic trimer. Both static and very low frequency electric fields were used. Fractional changes of the magnetic susceptibility of 11 ppb± 2 per kVm-1 for the temperature range 8.5 < T < 13.5 K were observed for applied electric fields up to 62 kV m−1. The changes in susceptibility were measured using a tunnel diode oscillator operating at liquid helium temperatures while the sample is held at a higher regulated temperature.