Effects of island geometry in postdeposition island growth

The results of kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of a realistic model of post deposition island growth that takes into account the spatial extent of isla nds are presented. Simulations were carried out on one- and two-dimensional substrates for different values of the critical island size i acid were co mpared with previous results for a point-island model. The use of a realist ic island geometry results in enhanced island aggregation and coalescence. This leads to an increase in the average island size S as well as the expon ent z describing the dependence of S on coverage. The shape of the island-s ize distribution for i = 3 also changes dramatically due to the existence o f "magic" islands.