Two Possible Ways of Forming Ordered Magnetic Chains on a Metal Surface: Monte Carlo Simulations

In this letter, the evolution of Co chains on a Cu(997) surface and mixed CoNi chains on a Ir(001) surface is investigated on the atomic scale by performing Monte Carlo simulations. It was found that ordered chains can be formed from a single metal with a temperature gradient or from an alloy of metals. It is shown how the chain lengths change during annealing and cooling. The results of our simulations will be useful for creating a new generation of magnetic materials.