“Electronic Growth” of Metallic Overlayers on Semiconductor Substrates

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We present a novel {open_quotes}electronic growth{close_quotes} model for metallic thin films on semiconductor substrates. Depending on the competition between the effects of quantum confinement, charge spilling, and interface-induced Friedel oscillations, different types of film stability are defined, as characterized by the existence of critical/magic thicknesses for smooth growth. In particular, smooth growth can be achieved only above a few monolayers for noble metals, and only for the first layer for alkali metals. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}