Random and ordered arrays of surface magic clusters

Surface magic clusters (SMCs) are clusters exhibiting enhanced stability at certain sizes on a particular surface. Through the formation of SMCs, it is possible to grow an ensemble of nanostructures on a surface with extremely small or essentially zero size dispersion. Such an ensemble of nanostructures with identical size and atomic structure is highly desirable for certain nanotechnologies that rely on the homogeneity in the physical and chemical properties of the constituent nanostructures. This review summarizes current experimental observations and understanding of SMCs and discusses the most recent progress in the formation of a two-dimensional lattice of SMCs, whose constituent clusters have not only identical size and structure but also the same local environment due to the translational symmetry of the system.