Spin dynamics of molecular nanomagnets

Molecular nano-magnets (MNMs) are clusters made by a small number of exchange-coupled ions, arranged in regular crystals and forming a macroscopic collection of identical and non-interacting nano-sized magnetic units. Novel and interesting phenomena have been observed in these systems, suggesting the possibility of controlling quantum coherence on the mesoscopic scale. Precious information on the spin correlation and dynamics in MNMs is provided by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments. A precise assessment of the zero-field anisotropy removing the degeneracy of spin multiplets is obtained with high-resolution measurements at low energy-transfer, whilst strength and topology of exchange interactions can be reliably determined through measurements of intermultiplet excitations at higher energy transfer. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.