INFLUENCE OF SURFACE-DIFFUSION ON THE STRUCTURE OF GROWING CRYSTAL-SURFACE

The structure of a growing crystal surface is investigated theoretically and by means of computer simulations. It is found that surface diffusion plays an important role in flattening the growing surface. The territory of a nucleus, i.e. one of the characteristic scales in multinucleation growth, is larger on the surface where the diffusion of adsorbed units on the surface is easier. It is also evaluated by computer simulations calculating the correlation function of the local surface height. Good agreement is found between simulation results and theory if the back-force effect is taken into account.