A discrete finite-dimensional phase space approach for the description of Fe8 magnetic clusters: Wigner and Husimi functions

Abstract

A discrete quantum phase space formalism is used to discuss some basic aspects of the spin tunnelling which occurs in Fe8 magnetic clusters by means of Wigner functions as well as Husimi distributions. Those functions were obtained for sharp angle states and symmetric combinations of the lowest energy doublet—the particular tunnelling energy doublet—with the application of an external magnetic field. The time evolution of those functions carried out numerically allows one to extract valuable information about the dynamics of the states under consideration, in particular, the coherent oscillations associated with the particular energy doublet.