title: Continuum model for low temperature relaxation of crystal steps.
abstract: High and low temperature relaxation of crystal steps are described in a unified picture, using a continuum model based on a modified expression of the step-free energy. Results are in agreement with experiments and Monte Carlo simulations of step fluctuations and monolayer cluster diffusion and relaxation. In an extended model where mass exchange with neighboring terraces is allowed, step transparency and a low temperature regime for unstable step meandering are found.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Spectrométrie Physique-Grephe, CNRS, UJF-Grenoble 1, BP87, F38402 Saint Martin d'Hères, France.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pierre-Louis
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003460:Crystallization; D007700:Kinetics; D008853:Microscopy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics