Clusters and lattices of particles stabilized by dipolar coupling.

Abstract

We model stabilization of clusters and lattices of spherical particles with dominant electric and magnetic dipolar coupling, and weak van der Waals coupling. Our analytical results demonstrate that dipolar coupling can stabilize nanoparticle clusters with planar, tubular, Möbius, and other arrangements. We also explain for which parameters the nanoparticles can form lattices with fcc, hcp, sh, sc, and other types of packing. Although these results are valid at different scales, we illustrate that realistic magnetic and semiconducting nanoparticles need to have certain minimum sizes to stabilize at room temperature into nanostructures controlled by dipolar coupling.