Exchange-Bias Quantum Tunneling of the Magnetization in a Dysprosium Dimer

Single-molecule
magnets (SMMs) have been shown to possess bewildering
phenomena leading to their proposal in several futuristic applications
ranging from data storage devices to the basic unit of quantum computers.
The main characteristic for the proposal of SMMs in such schemes is
their inherent and intriguing quantum mechanical properties, which
in turn, could be exploited in novel devices with larger capacities,
such as for data storage or enhanced properties, such as quantum computers.
In the quest of SMMs displaying such intriguing quantum effects, herein,
we explore the synthesis, structural, and magnetic characterization
of a dimeric dysprosium-based SMM composed of a tetradentate Schiff-base
ligand with formula [Dy2(HL)2(benz)2(NO3)2]. Magnetic studies show that the complex
is an SMM, while sub-Kelvin μ-SQUID studies revealed the exchange-bias
characteristics of the system attributed to the presence of exchange
interaction between the Dy3+ pair.