The role of the diffusion of dimers in the formation of Co nanostructures embedded into Cu(100) surface

The formation of embedded Co nanostructures is investigated on the atomic scale byperforming self-learning kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. The atomic processes responsiblefor the formation of small nanostructures are identified. We demonstrate the specific roleof the diffusion of dimers at 400 K. The diffusion of dimers leads to the acceleration ofthe time evolution and the decrease of the chain domination stage.