Introduction to Step Dynamics and Step Instabilities

TL;DR

This paper introduces fundamental concepts of step dynamics in epitaxial crystal growth, reviewing applications to surface instabilities and outlining open research problems in the field.

Contribution

It offers an elementary overview of thermodynamics and kinetics of atomic steps, connecting basic theory with surface instability phenomena and highlighting open challenges.

Findings

Reviewed applications to morphological instabilities

Outlined open problems in step dynamics

Provided foundational understanding of epitaxial growth

Abstract

This paper provides an elementary introduction to the basic concepts used in describing epitaxial crystal growth in terms of the thermodynamics and kinetics of atomic steps. Selected applications to morphological instabilities of stepped surfaces are reviewed, and some open problems are outlined.