Abstract
We have used low energy electron microscopy to study the roles of surface diffusion and step-edge attachment kinetics in 2D-island ripening, a phenomenon closely related to epitaxial growth. From experimental maps of the chemical potential, showing variations of up to a factor of 3, we conclude that nearest-neighbor correlations between islands are of central importance, in contrast to common mean-field theory. Detailed simulations of the time evolution of specific island configurations are in close agreement with experimental results.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 3328-3331 |
| Journal | Physical Review Letters |
| Volume | 75 |
| Issue number | 18 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Oct 1995 |