Phase separation on solid surfaces: nucleation, coarsening and coalescence kinetics

Fundamental issues of the kinetics of phase separations on surfaces are reviewed with an emphasis on developments during the period from 1990 to present. Issues covered include: (i) the stability of thin films toward clustering, (ii) non-uniform film formation during deposition and (iii) non-uniform film evolution in the post-deposition phase. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.