Abstract
We have undertaken an extensive analytical and kinetic Monte Carlo study of the (2+1) dimensional discrete growth model on a vicinal surface. A non-local, phenomenological continuum equation describing surface growth in unstable systems with anomalous scaling is presented. The roughness produced by unstable growth is first studied considering various effects in surface diffusion processes (corresponding to temperature, flux, diffusion anisotropy). We found that the thermally activated roughness is well-described by a generalized Lai-Das Sarma-Villain model with non linear growth continuum equation and uncorrelated noise. The corresponding critical exponents are computed analytically for the first time and show a continuous variation in agreement with simulation results of a solid-on-solid model. However, the roughness related to the meandering instability is found, unexpectedly, to be well described by a linear continuum equation with spatiotemporally correlated noise.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2819-2827 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Surface Science |
Volume | 602 |
Issue number | 17 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2008 |
Keywords
- Continuum equations
- Epitaxy
- Monte Carlo simulations
- Scaling
- Self-assembly
- Surface roughening
- Vicinal crystal surfaces
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Materials Chemistry