This research investigates the magnetic structure and excitations of TbCu₂ in both bulk and 8 nm nanoparticle forms. Using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), a helix-like magnetic super-structure is identified, persistent in both bulk and nanoparticle samples. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) reveals the magnetic excitons and crystalline electric field (CEF) energy level schemes, showing how surface broken symmetry affects nanoscale quantum energy levels and interfacial effects on magnetic excitation propagation. The findings offer insights for developing magnetic moment dynamics models based on complex nanometric super-structures and for integrating nanoparticles into spintronics and information technology.

Elizabeth M. Jefremovas, María de la Fuente Rodríguez, Diego Alba Venero, Cristina Echevarría-Bonet, Philipp Bender, Björn Fåk, Jesús A. Blanco, Luis Fernández Barquín