Pattern Formation in Anodic Aluminum Oxide Growth by Flow Instability and Dynamic Restabilization

Abstract

The viscous flow of oxide driven by the electrostriction force during the growth of anodic aluminum oxide is treated by linear stability and scale analysis. A uniform oxide film is unstable to a periodic deformation. The restabilization of pore growth is examined by scale analysis of the steady pore diameter. The pattern spatial period and pore radius predicted by the analysis are compared with experimental observations reported in the literature.