title: Capture-zone scaling in island nucleation: universal fluctuation behavior.
abstract: In island nucleation and growth, the distribution of capture zones (in essence proximity cells) can be described by a simple expression generalizing the Wigner surmise (power-law rise, Gaussian decay) from random matrix theory that accounts for spacing distributions in a host of fluctuation phenomena. Its single adjustable parameter, the power-law exponent, can be simply related to the critical nucleus of growth models and the substrate dimensionality. We compare with extensive published kinetic Monte Carlo data and limited experimental data. A phenomenological theory elucidates the result.
authors.affiliation: LASMEA, UMR 6602 CNRS/Université Blaise Pascal-Clermont 2, F-63177 Aubière Cedex, France. alpimpin@univ-bpclermont.fr
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pimpinelli
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Einstein