Abstract
We report on confined two-dimensional (2D) dipole clusters formed by small ferromagnetic particles floating at the liquid-air interface and confined by nonuniform external magnetic field. The particles self assemble into hexagonally ordered clusters whose lattice constant can be magnetically tuned. We study the area S, the energy E, the chemical potential [formula presented] and the lattice constant a, of 2D clusters as functions of particle number N for [formula presented] We develop a continuum approximation which accounts fairly well for the smooth part of [formula presented] and [formula presented] dependences. In addition to these dependences, we observe quasiperiodic fluctuations with dips at “magic” numbers corresponding to particularly symmetric particle configurations. We demonstrate that these fluctuations are related to the cluster symmetry and to the cluster center of mass position.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Physical Review E |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 12 Jun 2002 |