Molecular Magnetism Expansion Toolkit for Instrumentation and Characterization: External Stimuli on Electronic Energy Levels in Magnetic Systems

forthcoming

Innovation in scientific instrumentation is essential for advancing technology and pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Cutting-edge tools enable researchers to explore previously inaccessible physical phenomena, leading to breakthroughs in new materials and processes. One promising application is the use of lanthanide single-molecule magnets (SMMs) in quantum information science, due to their magnetic bistability, which can be controlled by external stimuli. The design and control of magnetic properties in molecular magnets—and their practical applications—depend on the understanding and manipulation of the energy levels that define their electronic structure. To further the development of future quantum technologies, it is critical to understand how external stimuli, such as light and pressure, influence the electronic states of SMMs. This project aims to develop two innovative scientific probes to investigate the effects of light (via magneto-chiral luminescence) and high pressure on the electronic energy levels of chiral lanthanide-based single-molecule magnets. By expanding the toolbox of techniques available to chemists and physicists working in molecular magnetism, this research will address current limitations in both instrumentation and theoretical understanding. Ultimately, this work seeks to bridge these gaps, with potential applications extending to the field of quantum information science for optical data-readout mechanisms.