Theoretical and numerical studies of chemisorption on a line with precursor layer diffusion

TL;DR

This paper combines numerical simulations and a self-consistent theoretical model to analyze chemisorption on a line with precursor diffusion, revealing complex correlations and island formation dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, self-consistent theory that accounts for pair correlations in chemisorption with precursor states, validated by simulation data.

Findings

Good agreement between theory and simulation for correlations and island statistics

Identification of non-trivial correlations due to diffusion-mediated deposition

Quantitative insights into island nucleation, growth, and coagulation processes

Abstract

We consider a model for random deposition of monomers on a line with extrinsic precursor states. As the adsorbate coverage increases, the system develops non-trivial correlations due to the diffusion mediated deposition mechanism. In a numeric simulation, we study various quantities describing the evolution of the island structure. We propose a simple, self-consistent theory which incorporates pair correlations. The results for the correlations, island density number, average island size and probabilities of island nucleation, growth and coagulation show good agreement with the simulation data.