https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510051111
Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier controlled slope selection in epitaxial growth
Universität Würzburg, Institut für Theoretische Physik, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg,
Germany
Received:
11
May
1999
Revised:
6
November
1999
Published online: 15 May 2000
We examine the step dynamics in a 1+1-dimensional model of epitaxial growth based on the BCF-theory. The model takes analytically into account the diffusion of adatoms, an incorporation mechanism and an Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier at step edges. We find that the formation of mounds with a stable slope is closely related to the presence of an incorporation mechanism. We confirm this finding using a solid-on-solid model in 2+1 dimensions. In the case of an infinite step edge barrier we are able to calculate the saturation profile analytically. Without incorporation but with inclusion of desorption and detachment we find a critical flux for instable growth but no slope selection. In particular, we show that the temperature dependence of the selected slope is solely determined by the Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier which opens a new possibility in order to measure this fundamental barrier in experiments.
PACS: 81.10.Aj – Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2000
