Role of Surface Diffusion in Stabilizing the Surface of a Solid Growing from Solution or Vapor

摘要

The effect of surface diffusion on the stability of shape of a solid growing by diffusion in a supersaturated solution or vapor is considered. Cylindrical and spherical shapes are treated. It is found that under some conditions, for example, vapor‐phase growth of metals in the presence of an inert gas, surface diffusion can provide a significant enhancement of the stability.