Scaling magnets down to where quantum size effects become prominent triggers quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM), profoundly influencing magnetization dynamics. Measuring magnetization switching in an Fe atomic chain under a carefully tuned transverse magnetic field, we observe a nonmonotonic variation of magnetization lifetimes around a level crossing, known as the diabolic point (DP). Near DPs, local environment effects causing QTM are efficiently suppressed, enhancing lifetimes by three orders of magnitude. Adjusting interatomic interactions further facilitates multiple DPs. Our Letter provides a deeper understanding of quantum dynamics near DPs and enhances our ability to engineer a quantum magnet.

Recent advances in improving the spectroscopic energy resolution in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have been achieved by integrating electron spin resonance (ESR) with STM. Here, we demonstrate the design and performance of a homebuilt STM capable of ESR at temperatures ranging from 1 to 10 K. The STM is incorporated with a homebuilt Joule-Thomson refrigerator and a two-axis vector magnet. Our STM design allows for the deposition of atoms and molecules directly into the cold STM, eliminating the need to extract the sample for deposition. In addition, we adopt two methods to apply radio-frequency (RF) voltages to the tunnel junction: the early design of wiring to the STM tip directly and a more recent idea to use an RF antenna. Direct comparisons of ESR results measured using the two methods and simulations of electric field distribution around the tunnel junction show that, despite their different designs and capacitive coupling to the tunnel junction, there is no discernible difference in the driving and detection of ESR. Furthermore, at a magnetic field of ∼1.6 T, we observe ESR signals (near 40 GHz) sustained up to 10 K, which is the highest temperature for ESR-STM measurement reported to date, to the best of our knowledge. Although the ESR intensity exponentially decreases with increasing temperature, our ESR-STM system with low noise at the tunnel junction allows us to measure weak ESR signals with intensities of a few fA. Our new design of an ESR-STM system, which is operational in a large frequency and temperature range, can broaden the use of ESR spectroscopy in STM and enable the simple modification of existing STM systems, which will hopefully accelerate a generalized use of ESR-STM.