CHEMICALLY FROZEN PHASE-SEPARATION IN AN ADSORBED LAYER - REPLY

In a previous paper [Phys. Rev. E 52, R4616 (1995)] we proposed a simp le model to illustrate a basic mechanism for the formation of adsorbat e islands on a surface. In the preceding paper [Phys. Rev. E 55, 4826 (1997)] it was claimed that this model was not realistic because it as sumed a desorption rate constant independent of coverage, therefore ne glecting the effect of interadsorbate interactions on the desorption r ate. In view of numerous experimental results and microscopic simulati ons, we argue that, at least in some temperature ranges, this assumpti on is fully justified, Moreover, it does not compromise the model's ab ility to capture the crucial features of the system under consideratio n.