The morphology of thin metal films is investigated by computer experim
ent. In the initial stages of film growth, the theory of mathematical
morphology provides convenient methods for the characterisation of spa
tial distribution of islands in these films by the radial distribution
function and/or by the distribution of nearest-neighbours. In the pap
er, the range of validity of standard morphological methods is tested
and methods for the analysis of thicker metal films are suggested. It
was found that the covariance function is useful even in cases when of
her simple morphological methods cannot be used. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc
ience Ltd. All rights reserved.