Transitions between epitaxial growth regimes: A (1+1)-dimensional kinetic Monte Carlo study

TL;DR

This study introduces a new kinetic Monte Carlo model to explore epitaxial thin-film growth, revealing diverse growth regimes and a novel low-mobility regime, along with a proposed link between kinetic and thermal roughening transitions.

Contribution

A new kinetic Monte Carlo model for epitaxial growth is developed, capturing known regimes and identifying a new low-mobility growth regime.

Findings

Rich growth diagram across fluxes and temperatures

Reproduction of known growth regimes

Identification of a new low-mobility regime

Abstract

To study epitaxial thin-film growth, a new model is introduced and extensive kinetic Monte Carlo simulations performed for a wide range of fluxes and temperatures. Varying the deposition conditions, a rich growth diagram is found. The model also reproduces several known regimes and in the limit of low particle mobility a new regime is defined. Finally, a relation is postulated between the temperatures of the kinetic and thermal roughening transitions.