SCANNING-TUNNELING-MICROSCOPY STUDIES OF NUCLEATION AND GROWTH OF SILVER FILMS

Different stages of nucleation and growth of silver films grown on gol d-coated mica by vacuum evaporation have been studied by using scannin g tunnelling microscopy. These studies reveal a complete picture of th e sequence of events from initial island formation to a fairly smooth film surface. The surface roughness pattern matches the growth process . The angle of contact of the cap-shaped silver islands formed during the initial stages of growth was found to be about 12 degrees, confirm ing three-dimensional island type of growth.