Magnetic nanostructures stabilized by surface-state electrons

Abstract

Performing state of the art ab initio studies, we predict that new $3d$ magnetic nanostructures and superlattices on Cu(111) can be stabilized by surface-state electrons. We reveal that magnetic states in these systems are determined by long-range exchange interaction between adatoms. Atomic scale simulations indicate that $3d$ superlattices on Cu(111) can be stable up to $25--30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$.