Prof Arzhang Ardavan

Abstract:

For the first time, two types of the metallofullerene Nd@C82 have been isolated and characterized. HPLC was used to isolate Nd@C 82(I, II). The two isomers were characterized by mass spectrometry and UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. Nd@C82(I) was found to be similar in structure to the main isomer of other lanthanofullerenes such as La@C82, as was previously reported. We assign Nd@C82(I) to have a C2v cage symmetry. Nd@C82(II) showed a markedly different UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectrum to Nd@C82(I). Its spectrum is in good agreement with that of the minor isomer of metallofullerenes such as Pr@C82. We therefore assign Nd@C82(II) to have a C s cage symmetry. In contrast to other metallofullerenes, both isomers appear to be equally abundant. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

We present numerical calculations of a tight-binding model applied to a finite square lattice in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. The persistent current associated with each eigenstate is calculated, the chirality of which is determined by whether the eigenstate exists within the bulk or localised to the edges of the lattice. This treatment allows us to extract oscillations in the magnetization, which are analogous to de Haas-van Alphen oscillations. We consider the influence of short range disorder and long range potential modulations on these systems.

Abstract:

We report millimetre-wave electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements on single crystals of the high-spin molecules Cr-10(OMe)(20)(O2CCMe3)(10) and Cr12O9(OH)(3)(O2CCMe3)(15) within a temperature range of 1.4 K to 50 K and in magnetic fields of up to 5 Tesla. In our experiments it is possible to vary the orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the crystal axes, and thus to study the ESR lineshapes as a function of both temperature and angle. Our results confirm that Cr-10(OMe)(20)(O2CCMe3)(10) behaves as a single-molecule magnet with S = 15 and D = -0.03 K, while Cr12O9(OH)(3)(O2CCMe3)(15) has S = 6 and D similar to 0.1 K. A comparison of the experimental spectra with numerical simulations gives good agreement at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, we observe a narrowing of the ESR spectrum that is not explained by simple models.

Abstract:

Magnetotransport measurements have been performed on single crystals Of kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu(NCS)(2) in fields of up to 33 T at temperatures between 500 mK and 4.2K. Using a diamond anvil cell mounted on a goniometer, measurements of the angle and temperature dependence of the interlayer resistance, R-zz, under hydrostatic pressures between 1.1 kbar and 17.3 kbar were performed. For the first time we have been able to measure angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations under pressure due to both the 1D and 2D Fermi surfaces in addition to Shubnikov de Haas oscillations. The results show that the shape of the elliptical quasi-2D Fermi-pocket is more elongated under a hydrostatic pressure of 9.8 kbar compared with ambient pressure. When the magnetic field B is close to parallel to the highly conductive plane, bc, a peak in R-zz is observed with an angular width determined by the ratio of the maximum inter- and intra-layer Fermi velocities. The width of this peak is found to increase with pressure suggesting that the Fermi surface becomes more three-dimensional upon application of pressure.

Abstract:

Electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) has been observed for the first time from a coupled heterospin pair of electron and nucleus in liquid solution. Previously, modulation effects in spin-echo experiments have only been described in liquid solutions for a coupled pair of homonuclear spins in nuclear magnetic resonance or a pair of resonant electron spins in electron paramagnetic resonance. We observe low-frequency ESEEM (26 and 52 kHz) due to a new mechanism present for any electron spin with S > 12 that is hyperfine coupled to a nuclear spin. In our case these are electron spin (S = 32) and nuclear spin (I = 1) in the endohedral fullerene N@C(60). The modulation is shown to arise from second-order effects in the isotropic hyperfine coupling of an electron and (14)N nucleus.