We present a theoretical study of magnetic relaxation of big molecules
, Mn12O12, at low temperature, when the relaxation time tau is tempera
ture independent. If the magnetic field h(z) is not too low, tunneling
can only take place if energy is exchanged with phonons. Then, 1/tau
similar to h(z)(3) for weak h(z). A steeper increase is expected for h
igher h(z). The effect of a transverse field h, is small. The maximum
of tau(h(z)) observed experimentally at h(z) = 0.2 T might be due to t
unneling without phonons in low field, with a relaxation rate reduced
by hyperfine interactions.