Experimental Observation of Superparamagnetism in Manganese Clusters
Abstract
A molecular beam of manganese clusters, Mn n \(n = 11-99\), produced at 68 K is deflected toward high field by a gradient field magnet. These results indicate that Mn n clusters in this size range are superparamagnetic species whose intrinsic moments can be determined within the framework of the Langevin model of paramagnetism. Local minima in per-atom magnetic moments are observed for Mn 13 and Mn 19, suggestive of an icosahedral growth sequence for the smaller size range. For larger clusters, broad oscillations in the per-atom moments are observed, with a minimum near Mn 32-37 and a maximum around Mn 50-56.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- June 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.5255
- Bibcode:
- 2001PhRvL..86.5255K