Supported Magnetic Nanoclusters: Soft Landing of Pd Clusters on a MgO Surface

Low-energy deposition of neutral PdN clusters ($N=2--7$ and $13$) on a MgO(001) surface F center (FC) was studied by spin-density-functional molecular dynamics simulations. The incident clusters are steered by an attractive ``funnel'' created by the FC, resulting in adsorption of the cluster, with one of its atoms bonded atop of the FC. The deposited Pd₂-Pd₆ clusters retain their gas-phase structures, while for $N>6$ surface-commensurate isomers are energetically more favorable. Adsorbed clusters with $N>3$ are found to remain magnetic at the surface.