A new chromophore has been identified in copper-doped apatite pigments having the general composition [Sr(10)(PO(4))(6)(Cu(x)OH(1-x-y))(2)], in which x=0.1, 0.3 and y=0.01-0.42. By using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, low-temperature magnetization measurements, and synchrotron X-ray powder structure refinement, it has been shown that the oxygenated compounds contain simultaneously diamagnetic Cu(1+) and paramagnetic Cu(3+) with S=1. Cu(3+) is located at the same crystallographic position as Cu(1+), being linearly coordinated by two oxygen atoms and forming the OCuO(-) anion. The Raman spectroscopy study of [A(10)(PO(4))(6)(Cu(x)OH(1-x-y))(2)], in which A=Ca, Sr, Ba, reveals resonance bands at 651-656 cm(-1) assigned to the symmetric stretching vibration (ν(1)) of OCuO(-). The strontium apatite pigment exhibits a strong paramagnetic anisotropy with an unprecedentedly large negative zero-field splitting parameter (D) of ≈-400 cm(-1). The extreme magnetic anisotropy causes slow magnetization relaxation with relaxation times (τ) up to 0.3 s at T=2 K, which relates the compounds to single-ion magnets. At low temperature, τ is limited by a spin quantum-tunneling, whereas at high temperature a thermally activated relaxation prevails with U(eff)≈48 cm(-1). Strong dependence of τ on the paramagnetic center concentration at low temperature suggests that the spin-spin relaxation dominates in the spin quantum-tunneling process. The compound is the first example of a d-metal-based single-ion magnet with S=1, the smallest spin at which an energy barrier arises for the spin flipping.

The review is devoted to compounds and materials demonstrating extremely high magnetic hardness. The recent advances in the synthesis of modern materials for permanent magnets are considered, and a range of exotic compounds interesting for fundamental research is described. The key details of chemical composition, crystal structure and magnetic microstructure responsible for the appearance of high magnetic anisotropy and giant coercivity are analyzed. The challenges of developing the title materials are noted and strategies for their solution are discussed. The bibliography includes 389 references.

Single-ion magnets (SIMs) that can maintain magnetization direction on an individual transition metal atom represent the smallest atomic-scale units for future magnetic data storage devices and molecular electronics. Here we present a robust extended inorganic solid hosting efficient SIM centers, as an alternative to molecular SIM crystals. We show that unique dioxocobaltate(II) ions, confined in the channels of strontium hydroxyapatite, exhibit classical SIM features with a large energy barrier for magnetization reversal (U) of 51-59 cm. The samples have been tuned such that a magnetization hysteresis opens below 8 K and U increases by a factor of 4 and can be further enhanced to the highest values among 3d metal complexes of 275 cm when Ba is substituted for Sr. The SIM properties are preserved without any tendency toward spin ordering up to a high Co concentration. At a maximal Co content, a hypothetical regular hexagonal grid of SIMs with a 1 nm interspacing on the (001) crystal facet would allow a maximal magnetic recording density of 10 Gb/cm.

Dy3+ reveals slow relaxation of magnetization in both Dy-diluted and Dy-rich silicates with enhanced relaxation times in the latter.