Bimodal island size distribution in heteroepitaxial growth

ORAL

Abstract

A bimodal size distribution of two dimensional islands is inferred during interface formation in heteroepitaxial growth of Bismuth Ferrite on (001) oriented SrTiO$_3$ by sputter deposition. Features observed by in-situ x-ray scattering are explained by a model where coalescence of islands determines the growth kinetics with negligible surface diffusion on SrTiO$_3$. Small clusters maintain a compact shape as they coalesce, while clusters beyond a critical size impinge to form large irregular connected islands and a population of smaller clusters forms in the spaces between the larger ones.

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Authors

  • R. Headrick

    Dept. of Physics \& Materials Science, University of Vermont, Department of Physics and Materials Science Program, University of Vermont, Physics Dept and the Material science program, Univ of Vermont, Burlington, VT, Physics Department and the Material Science Program, Univ. of Vermont, Burlington VT

  • Priya Chinta

    Department of Physics, University of Vermont