  A new type of mesoscopic quantum effect in large-spin molecules possessing
easy-axis anisotropy, such as Mn12, is predicted. The response of such a system
to an external field applied perpendicular to the easy axis is considered. It
is shown that the susceptibility of this system exhibits a peculiar peak of
purely quantum origin. This effect arises from very general properties of
quantum fluctuations in spin systems. We demonstrate that the effect is
entirely accessible for contemporary experimental techniques. Our studies show
that the many-spin nature of the Mn12 clusters is important for a correct
description of this quantum peak.
