Le dichroïsme magnétique circulaire : application à des molécules aimants greffées sur des surfaces d'or

This article presents the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) applied to single molecule magnets. After outlining its technical characteristics, the method is then applied to molecules where a central ion, either Cr(III) or Fe(III), is magnetically coupled to three peripheral Fe(III) ions. The unique information that can be gained by such measurements is put in perspective in close connection with the rational synthesis of molecular magnets.