Macroscopic quantum spin-flip in Ising nanoparticles
Zvezdin A. K. , Popkov A. F.
Macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) of magnetization in small particles of a strongly anisotropic magnetic material is analyzed. Non-Kramers ions, which at low temperatures exhibit Ising magnetization, are studied. It is shown that the dynamic interaction of the magnetization with the quadrupole moment of an ion produces continuous reversal from Μ to — Μ and results in a nonzero MQT probability.