A group of researchers from the University of California and Fudan University developed a method of using a single molecule magnet as a scanning magnetometer. In their paper published in the journal Science, the research team outlined the spin and magnetism of molecules embedded in another material by showing their sensors. As scientists continue to compress more and more data on smaller and smaller storage devices, they are exploring the possibility of using the magnetic state of a single molecule or even an atom-this may be the smallest type of storage element. In this new research, it has been proved that it is possible to read the characteristics of a single molecule in another material by using a single molecule attached to a sensor.

In order to make sensors and storage media, researchers first adsorbed magnetic molecules of nickel (cyclopentadiene) 2 on silver-plated plates. Then nickel neocene molecules are extracted from the silver surface and applied to the top of the scanning tunneling microscope sensor. Next, a surface covered with adsorbate is heated to 600mg levon, and then the sensor with a single molecule is moved close to the surface to read the signal received by the probe when two molecules interact. Researchers can understand the spin-magnetic interaction because it occurs between two molecules. Using detectors, you can also create interactive shape images in several spatial directions. When the probe is placed directly in the center of the molecule under study, the signal received is the strongest.

The researchers demonstrated a microscope technology, which uses the magnetic molecule Ni (cyclopentadienyl) 2 adsorbed on the top of the scanning probe to detect the exchange interaction with another molecule adsorbed on the surface of Ag( 1 10) in all three spatial directions in a continuous and adjustable manner. In addition, the profile of the exchange interaction intensity is imaged by the probe, and the angstrom region is revealed, where the quantum states of two magnetic molecules are strongly mixed. The research results lay a foundation for the new nano-imaging ability based on magnetic single molecule sensor.