Based on Monte Carlo (MC) computer simulations we study the structure
formation of a system of magnetic nanorods. Our model particles consist of
fused spheres with permanent magnetic dipole moments, as inspired by recent
experiments. The resulting system behaves significantly different from a system
of hard (non-magnetic) rods or magnetic rods with a single longitudinal dipole.
In particular, we observe for the magnetic nanorods a significant decrease of
the percolation threshold (as compared to non-magnetic rods) at low densities,
and a stabilization of the high-density nematic phase. Moreover, the
percolation threshold is tunable by an external magnetic field.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figure
