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Nanoscale Magnetism Probed in a Matter-Wave Interferometer

Yaakov Y. Fein1,*, Sebastian Pedalino1,2, Armin Shayeghi1, Filip Kiałka1, Stefan Gerlich1, and Markus Arndt1

  • 1University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
  • 2University of Vienna, Vienna Doctoral School in Physics, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria

  • *yaakov.fein@univie.ac.at
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 123001 – Published 12 September, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.123001

Abstract

We explore a wide range of fundamental magnetic phenomena by measuring the dephasing of matter-wave interference fringes upon application of a variable magnetic gradient. The versatility of our interferometric Stern-Gerlach technique enables us to study the magnetic properties of alkali atoms, organic radicals, and fullerenes in the same device, with magnetic moments ranging from a Bohr magneton to less than a nuclear magneton. We find evidence for magnetization of a supersonic beam of organic radicals and, most notably, observe a strong magnetic response of a thermal C60 beam consistent with high-temperature atomlike deflection of rotational magnetic moments.

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Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

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Probing Molecular Magnetism Interferometrically

Published 12 September, 2022

A matter-wave interferometer can probe the magnetism of a broad range of species, from single atoms to very large, weakly magnetic molecules.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 123001– Published 12 September, 2022
  • Received 16 March 2022
  • Revised 13 May 2022
  • Accepted 7 July 2022
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