Atomic step motion during the dewetting of ultra-thin films

TL;DR

This paper investigates atomic step motion during thin film dewetting, analyzing processes like island growth, monolayer spreading, and zipping, with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations aligning well with analytical models.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of atomic step dynamics during dewetting, combining simulations with analytical models for the first time.

Findings

Kinetic Monte Carlo results agree with analytical models.

Identified key atomic processes in dewetting.

Provided insights into monolayer dynamics during film rupture.

Abstract

We report on three key processes involving atomic step motion during the dewetting of thin solid films: (i) the growth of an isolated island nucleated far from a hole, (ii) the spreading of a monolayer rim, and (iii) the zipping of a monolayer island along a straight dewetting front. Kinetic Monte Carlo results are in good agreement with simple analytical models assuming diffusion-limited dynamics.