Electric field control of spins in molecular magnets

Coherent control of individual molecular spins in nano-devices is a pivotal prerequisite for fulfilling the potential promised by molecular spintronics. By applying electric field pulses during time-resolved electron spin resonance measurements, we measure the sensitivity of the spin in several antiferromagnetic molecular nanomagnets to external electric fields. We find a linear electric field dependence of the spin states in Cr${}_7$Mn, an antiferromagnetic ring with a ground-state spin of $S=1$, and in a frustrated Cu${}_3$ triangle, both with coefficients of about $2~$\mathrm{r}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{d}$, $\mathrm{s}$^{-1} / $\mathrm{V}$ $\mathrm{m}$^{-1}$. Conversely, the antiferromagnetic ring Cr${}_7$Ni, isomorphic with Cr${}_7$Mn but with $S=1\mathrm{/}2$, does not exhibit a detectable effect. We propose that the spin-electric field coupling may be used for selectively controlling individual molecules embedded in nanodevices.