Anisotropic surface roughening: {110} faces of fcc metals

Abstract

{110} oriented surfaces of fcc metals are structurally anisotropic and, for this reason, may be expected to roughen in an anisotropic manner. The microstructure of such surfaces may continue to exhibit pronounced anisotropy up to and, indeed, beyond the roughening temperature. This anisotropy shows up at a macroscopic level as anisotropy in the facet shape of small particles and at the microscopic level as anisotropy in the step density. In particular, the proliferation of 〈110〉 and 〈001〉 oriented steps should become noticeable at different characteristic temperatures below TR of the {110} face. Various arguments and recent experimental data for Pb{110} are quoted in support of this general rule.