Fyzikální ústav Akademie věd ČR

The magnetic properties of atoms and molecules on a surface are significantly affected by details in the atomic-scale surrounding. Manipulation of this surrounding provides the possibility to tune the electronic and magnetic functionality of surfaces on a nanometer scale. Using scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS), we show that the lifetime of excited spin states in the paramagnetic Fe-Octaethylporphyrin-Chloride (FeOEP-Cl) is orders of magnitude longer when the molecule is adsorbed on a superconductor as compared to a normal metal substrate.