Phase transitions in metal-oxide particulate-surface interactions: insights through ab initio study

We present results for {\em ab initio} molecular dynamics calculations of collisions between metal-oxide particulates and metal-oxide surfaces. Detailed examinations of the resulting trajectories suggest particulate internal kinetic energy as a key parameter in obtaining smooth laminar deposition of thin films. Based on {\em ab initio} calculations and more extensive supporting classical molecular dynamics modelling, we propose a phase-diagram which maps both translational and internal kinetic energy to modes of crystal growth.