Faceting at the step flow threshold in epitaxial growth on patterned surfaces

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2009
Authors
Jones, Aleksy K.
Ballestad, Anders
Li, Tian
Whitwick, Michael
Rottler, Jörg
Tiedje,T.
Name of Publication
Physical Review B
Volume
79
Pagination
205419
Date Published
may
Abstract

We identify a kinetic mechanism responsible for the emergence of low-angle facets in recent epitaxial regrowth experiments on patterned surfaces. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of vicinal surfaces show that the preferred slope of the facets matches the threshold slope for the transition between step flow and growth by island nucleation. At this crossover slope, the surface step density is minimized and the adatom density is maximized, respectively. A model is developed that predicts the temperature dependence of the crossover slope and hence the facet slope.


Source URL: https://phas.ubc.ca/faceting-step-flow-threshold-epitaxial-growth-patterned-surfaces