Electronically Guided Self Assembly within Quantum Corrals

A grand challenge of nanoscience is to master the control of structure and properties in order to go beyond present day functionality. The creation of nanostructures via atom manipulation by means of a scanning probe represents one of the great achievements of the nano era. Here we build on this achievement to self-assemble nanostructures within quantum corrals. The structuring is guided by the quantum confinement of the electronic density of a silver metallic substrate within the corrals. We experimentally demonstrate different self-organized Gd atomic structures confined within 30-nm circular and triangular Fe quantum corrals. This approach enables the creation of model systems to explore and understand new nanomaterials and device prototypes.