Equilibrium Shape of Crystals

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physical principles behind the equilibrium shape of crystals, discussing historical context, experimental findings, and theoretical debates about features like edges and surface interactions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the ECS, including alternative models, controversies, and recent experimental insights beyond classical Wulff theorem explanations.

Findings

Discussion of alternatives to Wulff constructions

Analysis of controversies on critical behavior near edges

Insights into the origin of sharp edges and surface interactions

Abstract

This chapter discusses the equilibrium crystal shape (ECS) from a physical perspective, beginning with a historical introduction to the Wulff theorem. It takes advantage of excellent prior reviews, particularly in the late 1980's, recapping highlights from them. It contains many ideas and experiments subsequent to those reviews. Alternatives to Wulff constructions are presented. Controversies about the critical behavior near smooth edges on the ECS are recounted, including the eventual resolution. Particular attention is devoted to the origin of sharp edges on the ECS, to the impact of reconstructed or adsorbed surface phases coexisting with unadorned phases, and to the role and nature of possible attractive step-step interactions.