Anisotropy in Nucleation and Growth of Two-Dimensional Islands during Homoepitaxy on "Hex" Reconstructed Au(100)

S. Günther; E. Kopatzki; M. C. Bartelt; J. W. Evans; R. J. Behm

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.73.553

Anisotropy in Nucleation and Growth of Two-Dimensional Islands during Homoepitaxy on "Hex" Reconstructed Au(100)

S. Günther, E. Kopatzki, M. C. Bartelt, J. W. Evans, and R. J. Behm

Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 553 – Published 25 July 1994

Abstract

We present results of a comprehensive scanning tunneling microscopy study of the nucleation and growth of Au islands on Au(100). It is shown that the reconstruction of the substrate produces strong anisotropic effects. Rate equation analysis of the experimental flux and temperature dependence of the island density suggests: (i) a critical size of $i = 3$ for $T = 315 - 380$ K, but $i > 3$ above 400 K; and (ii) strongly anisotropic diffusion, preferentially parallel to the reconstruction rows (activation energy ∼0.2 eV). We comment on energetic and kinetic aspects of the observed island shape anisotropy.

Received 10 February 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.73.553

Authors & Affiliations

S. Günther¹, E. Kopatzki¹, M. C. Bartelt², J. W. Evans³, and R. J. Behm¹

¹Abteilung Oberflächenchemie und Katalyse, Universität Ulm, D-89069 Ulm, Germany
²Institute for Physical Research and Technology, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
³Department of Mathematics, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011