1.Our research in the broadly defined area of molecular magnetism focuses on two aims: (a) Investigation of interfaces between molecule-based magnets and solid-state inorganic materials to understand the unconventional behavior of spins and charges on such interfaces. This is a nascent and fast-growing field, which might hold great potential for the realization and exploitation of unique magnetic and electronic phenomena. In particular, our group focuses on the development of volatile spin-state switching transition metal complexes that can be incorporated in hybrid devices with inorganic 2D materials. The interfacial coupling in such devices leads to the modification of properties of both the molecular and solid-state inorganic layers.

(b) Study of molecular spin qubits and their supramolecular organization. Molecules offer a great advantage of synthetic tunability and scalability, yet the potential of magnetic molecules as qubits that can be used for quantum information processing is still far from being fully realized. We are exploring several pathways to suppressing spin decoherence processes and enabling controlled coupling between molecular spin qubits. These efforts rely on extensive collaboration with experts in condensed-matter physics and theoreticians, to achieve ultimate control over spin dynamics in molecules. Postdocs and students who work on these projects begin with the design and synthesis of the desired molecular systems, investigation of their crystal structures, bulk magnetic properties, and other relevant characteristics. These studies are followed by collaborative work on the advanced experimental characterization of molecular magnets (optical and magnetic resonance methods) and optimization of molecular properties to allow efficient incorporation of molecules in hybrid devices.

2.We are interested in a broad range of problems related to the interplay between the crystal and electronic structures and magnetic behavior of intermetallic materials. In particular, we explore effects of chemical substitutions, applied pressure, or applied magnetic field on the behavior of fragile magnetic states. The emergence of such states is typically caused by competing magnetic interactions that can be traced to the peculiarities of the crystal and electronic structure. The outcome of such behavior are unconventional magnetic behavior and complex spin textures, which we characterize by magnetic structure determination at advanced neutron scattering facilities. Postdocs and students who work on this project synthesize the desired materials using diverse solid-state chemistry techniques, including high-temperature annealing, arc- and RF-melting, and crystal growth by molten-flux and chemical vapor transport techniques. These efforts are followed by X-ray diffraction analysis and magnetic property characterization. The researchers are also involved in advanced experiments at large-scale neutron and synchrotron facilities, e.g., at the Oak Ridge National Lab and the European Synchrotron Research Facility. All members of the group also become proficient in calculating electronic structures and correlating their features to magnetic behavior of materials.