Dynamic Scaling Phenomena in Growth Processes

TL;DR

This paper reviews the theoretical basis of dynamic scaling in growth processes, discusses its universality, and explores reasons for limited experimental confirmation of these phenomena.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the theoretical foundations of dynamic scaling and addresses potential reasons for discrepancies with experimental observations.

Findings

Height fluctuations exhibit self-similar behavior

Roughness and dynamic exponents are universal

Experimental confirmation of dynamic scaling is limited

Abstract

Inhomogeneities in deposition may lead to formation of rough surfaces, whose height fluctuations can be probed directly by scanning microscopy, or indirectly by scattering. Analytical or numerical treatments of simple growth models suggest that, quite generally, the height fluctuations have a self-similar character. The roughness and dynamic exponents are expected to be universal; depending only on the underlying mechanism that generates self-similar roughness. Despite its ubiquitous occurrence in theory and simulations, experimental confirmations of dynamic scaling have been rare. I shall briefly review the theoretical foundations of dynamic scaling, and suggest possible reasons for discrepancies with experimental results.