Edge Diffusion during Growth: The Kink Ehrlich-Schwoebel Effect and Resulting Instabilities

Abstract

The morphology of surfaces of arbitrary orientation in the presence of step and kink Ehrlich-Schwoebel effects (SESE and KESE) during growth is studied within the framework of a model in which steps are continuous lines, and is illustrated by a simple solid-on-solid model. For vicinal surfaces KESE induces an instability often stronger than that from SESE. The possibility of stable kink flow growth is analyzed. Fluctuations can shift the stability threshold. KESE also induces mound formation.