A STUDY OF (1-DIMENSIONAL HEIGHT-HEIGHT CORRELATION-FUNCTIONS FOR SELF-AFFINE FRACTAL MORPHOLOGIES(1))

We study analytic forms in Fourier space of one-dimensional height-hei ght correlation functions for self-affine rough surfaces. Comparisons with complex systems suggest three alternative models. However, only t he model C-1(k) proportional to (1 + a\k\xi)(-(1 + 2H)) permits analyt ic calculation of important surface roughness quantities (i.e. surface width) for roughness exponents in range 0 less than or equal to H les s than or equal to 1. Furthermore, the implications of the results to experimental roughness studies by means of STM-AFM are discussed. Copy right (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd