Electronic transport properties and orientation of individual Mn12 single-molecule magnets

Individual Mn12 single-molecule magnets have been investigated by means of scanning tunneling spectroscopy at room temperature. Current-voltage characteristics of a Mn12 derivative are studied in detail and compared with simulations. A few-parameter scalar model for ballistic current flow through a single energy level is sufficient to describe the main features observed in scanning tunneling spectra of individual Mn12 molecules and offers a deeper insight into the electronic transport properties of this class of single-molecule magnets. In addition, distance-voltage spectroscopy performed on individual Mn12 molecules reveals a possibility to identify the orientation of the molecular easy axis. The results indicate a preferential orientation of the easy axis of the molecules nearly perpendicular to the surface.