Light sensitive magnetic polymer synthesis

2002/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Materialak

There are magnetic polymers and also light-sensitive magnets, but this is the first time a light-sensitive magnetic polymer has been synthesized. The polymer has been synthesized by researchers from the Universities of Utah and Ohio and has been published in the journal Physical Review Letters. By keeping the optical magnetic polymer under blue light for six hours, the magnetism of the material increases by 150% and keeps the magnetism in the dark. Under the green light, the polymer loses the magnetism obtained, but not at all, since in the end it is 60% more magnetic than it is.

With these properties it is considered that it can be a very appropriate material to store and delete information. However, the fruits will only be seen in the long term, since the properties mentioned only appear at very low temperature, that is, at 75 kelvin (-198°C). The polymer has been synthesized by combining tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and manganese ions. Researchers still do not know what the mechanism of action of light is, but believe it repels the configuration of TCNE molecules.