PHASE-SEPARATION DURING FILM GROWTH

A diffusion equation describing phase separation during co-deposition of a binary alloy is derived, and solved in the limit of dominant surface diffusion. Linear stability analysis yields results similar to bulk spinodal decomposition, except that long, and possibly all, wavelength are stabilized. Decomposition into two phases is investigated by solving the diffusion equation for lamellar and cylindrical symmetry. For the lamellar geometry, typically observed for near-equal volume fractions, the diffusion equation does not yield wavelength selection criteria. These can be obtained if free energy minimization is assumed. For the cylindrical geometry, solutions for small volume fractions yield domain dimensions proportional to the deposition-rate dependent surface diffusion length.