Diffusivity of adatoms on plasma-exposed surfaces determined from the ionization energy approximation and ionic polarizability

TL;DR

This paper develops a microscopic surface diffusivity theory based on atomic ionization energy to explain adatom behavior on plasma-exposed surfaces, aiding in optimizing nanoscale synthesis processes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel microscopic model linking ionization energy to surface diffusivity, enhancing understanding of adatom dynamics during quantum dot self-assembly.

Findings

Derived surface diffusivity equation as a function of ionization energy

Provided a classical and quantized approach to atomic polarization

Potential to optimize plasma-based nanoscale synthesis

Abstract

Microscopic surface diffusivity theory based on atomic ionization energy concept is developed to explain the variations of the atomic and displacement polarizations with respect to the surface diffusion activation energy of adatoms in the process of self-assembly of quantum dots on plasma-exposed surfaces. These polarizations are derived classically, while the atomic polarization is quantized to obtain the microscopic atomic polarizability. The surface diffusivity equation is derived as a function of the ionization energy. The results of this work can be used to fine-tune the delivery rates of different adatoms onto nanostructure growth surfaces and optimize the low-temperature plasma based nanoscale synthesis processes.