1. Kramers degeneracy and relaxation in vanadium, niobium and tantalum clusters
- Author
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A Diaz-Bachs, M I Katsnelson, and A Kirilyuk
- Subjects
magnetism ,Kramers degeneracy ,metallic clusters ,Science ,Physics ,QC1-999 - Abstract
In this work we use magnetic deflection of V, Nb, and Ta atomic clusters to measure their magnetic moments. While only a few of the clusters show weak magnetism, all odd-numbered clusters deflect due to the presence of a single unpaired electron. Surprisingly, for the majority of V and Nb clusters an atomic-like behavior is found, which is a direct indication of the absence of spin–lattice interaction. This is in agreement with Kramers degeneracy theorem for systems with a half-integer spin. This purely quantum phenomenon is surprisingly observed for large systems of more than 20 atoms, and also indicates various quantum relaxation processes, via Raman two-phonon and Orbach high-spin mechanisms. In heavier, Ta clusters, the relaxation is always present, probably due to larger masses and thus lower phonon energies, as well as increased spin–orbit coupling.
- Published
- 2018
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