Spin Uncoupling in Free Nb Clusters: Support for Nascent Superconductivity

Ramiro Moro, Shuangye Yin, Xiaoshan Xu, and Walt A. de Heer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 086803 – Published 20 August 2004

Abstract

Molecular beam Stern-Gerlach deflection measurements on Nb clusters (NbN, N<100) show that at very low temperatures the odd-N clusters deflect due to a single unpaired spin that is uncoupled from the cluster. At higher temperatures the spin is coupled and no deflections are observed. Spin uncoupling occurs concurrently with the transition to the recently found ferroelectric state, which has superconductor characteristics [Science 300, 1265 (2003)]. Spin uncoupling (also seen in V, Ta, and Al clusters) is analogous to the reduction of spin-relaxation rates observed in bulk superconductors below Tc.

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  • Received 23 January 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.086803

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Ramiro Moro, Shuangye Yin, Xiaoshan Xu, and Walt A. de Heer

  • School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA

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Vol. 93, Iss. 8 — 20 August 2004

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