title: Kinetic model for a step edge in epitaxial growth.
abstract: A kinetic theory is formulated for the velocity of a step edge in epitaxial growth. The formulation involves kinetic, mean-field equations for the density of kinks and "edge adatoms" along the step edge. Equilibrium and kinetic steady states, corresponding to zero and nonzero deposition flux, respectively, are derived for a periodic sequence of step edges. The theoretical results are compared to results from kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations of a simple solid-on-solid model, and excellent agreement is obtained. This theory provides a starting point for modeling the growth of two-dimensional islands in molecular-beam epitaxy through motion of their boundaries, as an alternative to KMC simulations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1555, USA.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Caflisch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: E
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gyure
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Merriman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ratsch