MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS OBSERVATIONS OF INTERDIFFUSION AND STRANSKI-KRASTANOV GROWTH IN THE EARLY FILM DEPOSITION OF AU ON AG(110)

We simulate the vapor deposition of the first three monolayers of Au on Ag(110) with the molecular dynamics code DAMSEL using surface-embedded-atom potentials and utilizing simulated annealing. The simulations show interdiffusive Stranski-Krastanov growth, which is consistent with recent ion scattering and scanning tunneling microscopy studies. Most of the first deposited monolayer of Au burrows to the substrate layer, with further deposition leading to 3D growth resembling a 3 x 1 missing-row reconstruction. We discuss the dynamic mechanisms accounting for this growth.