Experimental determination of step energies from island shape fluctuations: A comparison to the equilibrium shape method for Cu(100), Cul(111), and Ag(111) - art. no. 085416

Absolute values for step energies can be determined from the temperature de pendence of island equilibrium shapes and the size dependence of island sha pe fluctuations. Experimental data on island fluctuations are evaluated and the resulting step energies are compared to those obtained earlier from th e temperature dependence of the equilibrium shape. For islands on Cu(100), Cu(111), and Ag(111), the step energies obtained by the two entirely differ ent and independent methods agree within the experimental error. The advant ages and disadvantages of the two methods are discussed.