Adv. Mater. doi:10.1002/adma.200801883 (2008)

In the world of data storage, smaller is undoubtedly better. The field of single-molecule data storage has so far focused on complexes containing 12 manganese atoms. These have many unpaired electrons, the 'spins' of which make the molecules magnetic. But they lose their strong magnetism when deposited on the surface of other materials.

Roberta Sessoli at the University of Florence in Italy and her colleagues have shown that a molecular cluster based on four iron ions is more robust. Using X-rays as a probe, the team found that a layer of these molecules retains its magnetic behaviour even when sitting atop other substances. The authors believe that further research into molecules like this one could pave the way to quantum computing.