CO-EXISTENCE OF LOCALIZED MAGNETIC MOMENT AND DELOCALIZED ELECTRONIC SHELL IN SUB-NANOMETER KONDO-LIKE SYSTEMS

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Abstract

Looking for the smallest limit that the Kondo-like effect can be observed has been a long-standing interest in the field of fundamental physics. In this regard, we have investigated the interaction between a countable number of free electrons and a single impurity magnetic moment in two typical quantum systems Cu₁₂Cr and Au₁₉Cr clusters. Both icosahedral Cu₁₂Cr and tetrahedral Au₁₉Cr clusters tend to form a closed-shell electron structure. However, their magnetic moments are completely different. Using density functional theory calculations, we analyzed, discussed and proposed a co-existence picture of electronic and magnetic shell to explain the quenched and unquenched magnetic moment of Cu₁₂Cr and Au₁₉Cr. The finding results are expected to contribute to the understanding of molecular magnetism in bimetallic nanoclusters.