Infrared and electronic absorption spectra as well as ultrafast spin dynamics in isolated Co3+ (EtOH) and Co3+ (EtOH, H2 O) clusters

We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of the infrared (IR) and electronic absorption spectra in a molecular beam experiment as well as an analysis of spin dynamics in the clusters Co3+(EtOH) and Co3+(EtOH,H2O). The calculated IR and ground-state absorption spectra show very good agreement with experiment. By using high-level quantum chemistry methods, laser-induced ultrafast spin-flip scenarios in these structures are predicted. For the spin flip in Co3+(EtOH), our investigation indicates a 5 meV tolerance with respect to the laser detuning and a 6.5 meV tolerance with respect to the pulse spectral broadening, which are quite acceptable for the experimental implementation. In addition, we find that with the increase of the laser detuning the fitness of the processes gradually decays to zero on both sides but with different origins. This joint study of the homotrinuclear clusters provides insight into the experimentally observed spectra and optical properties, and steps towards the optical control of molecular magnetism for future spintronics application.