Cooperativity in thin films of spin crossover iron complexes

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Volker Schünemann
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2006 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 25206931

Thin films of spin crossover iron complexes supported on silicon single crystal surfaces shall be prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett and spin coating techniques. Film characterization will be performed by light-, atomic force as well as scanning electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy. Spin transition curves will be obtained by Mössbauer spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation in grazing incidence, a technique which recently has reached monolayer sensitivity. In cooperation with Dr. H. Paulsen (University of Lübeck) the experimental studies will be accompanied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The aim of this project is to prepare homogenous films of spin crossover iron complexes and to determine how the spin transition curve and therefore the degree of cooperativity of the transition behaves as a function of film thickness.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1137: Molecular Magnetism