  We report on the self-organized growth of a regular array of Fe nanoclusters
on a nanopatterned magnetite surface. Under oxidizing preparation conditions
the (111) surface of magnetite exhibits a regular superstructure with
three-fold symmetry and a 42 A periodicity. This superstructure represents an
oxygen terminated (111) surface, which is reconstructed to form a periodically
strained surface. This strain patterned surface has been used as a template for
the growth of an ultrathin metal film. A Fe film of 0.5 A thickness was
deposited on the substrate at room temperature. Fe nanoclusters are formed on
top of the surface superstructure creating a regular array with the period of
the superstructure. We also demonstrate that at least the initial stage of Fe
growth occurs in two-dimensional mode. In the areas of the surface where the
strain pattern is not formed, random nucleation of Fe was observed.
