ISSN:
1434-6036
Keywords:
PACS. 05.70.Ln Nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics - 68.35.Fx Diffusion; interface formation - 81.15.Aa Theory and models of film growth
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract: Step meandering due to a deterministic morphological instability on vicinal surfaces during growth is studied. We investigate nonlinear dynamics of a step model with asymmetric step kinetics, terrace and line diffusion, by means of a multiscale analysis. We give the detailed derivation of the highly nonlinear evolution equation on which a brief account has been given [6]. Decomposing the model into driving and relaxational contributions, we give a profound explanation to the origin of the unusual divergent scaling of step meander (where F is the incoming atom flux). A careful numerical analysis indicates that a cellular structure arises where plateaus form, as opposed to spike-like structures reported erroneously in reference [6]. As a robust feature, the amplitude of these cells scales as t 1/2, regardless of the strength of the Ehrlich-Schwoebel effect, or the presence of line diffusion. A simple ansatz allows to describe analytically the asymptotic regime quantitatively. We show also how sub-dominant terms from multiscale analysis account for the loss of up-down symmetry of the cellular structure.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s100510070042
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