THE EVAPORATION RATE OF A ONE-ATOM-HIGH ISLAND ON A SOLID-SURFACE - ATHERMODYNAMIC THEORY OF THE SIZE DEPENDENCE

Authors
METIU H ROSENFELD G
Citation
H. Metiu et G. Rosenfeld, THE EVAPORATION RATE OF A ONE-ATOM-HIGH ISLAND ON A SOLID-SURFACE - ATHERMODYNAMIC THEORY OF THE SIZE DEPENDENCE, Surface science, 373(1), 1997, pp. 357-362
Citations number
28
Categorie Soggetti
Chemistry Physical
Journal title
Surface science → ACNP
ISSN journal
00396028
Volume
373
Issue
1
Year of publication
1997
Pages
357 - 362
Database
ISI
SICI code
0039-6028(1997)373:1<357:TEROAO>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
The rate of atom ''evaporation'' from the edge of a one-atom-high isla nd to the surface of the substrate has been recently studied experimen tally and by computer simulations. We use detailed balance and thermod ynamic arguments to propose a formula for the size dependence of the e vaporation rate, which fits well the simulation data. We also discuss the meaning of thermodynamic concepts used in the derivation, such as the equilibrium shape, the island's ''surface tension'', and the vapor pressure around the island. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.