Self-consistent rate-equation approach to transitions in critical island size in metal (100) and metal (111) homoepitaxy

摘要

A self-consistent rate-equation approach to the study of transitions in the critical island size i in submonolayer growth from i = 1 to i = 2 and from i = 1 to i = 3, corresponding to homoepitaxial growth on metal(111) and (100) surfaces, is presented. In contrast to previous standard rate-equation results, the average island density and monomer density are well predicted along with the transition temperature from i = 1 to a higher critical island size. It is shown that the method's implicit short-range correlations belween attachment/ detachment rates, together with a careful estimate bf the escape rates for small clusters, are important factors for a good agreement with the kinetic Monte Carlo simulation results. [S0163-1829(98)00227-6]. [References: 25]