Growth Dynamics of Crystalline Tensionless Surfaces

Abstract

We introduce a model for two-dimensional crystalline tensionless surfaces. In equilibrium, the model exhibits a roughening transition to the high temperature phase of the sine-Gordon (sG) model, though its initial stages are rougher and described by the linear molecular beam epitaxy equation; the transition temperature is about half the sG one. Depending on distance to equilibrium and temperature, the model can behave as a nonmoving flat interface, a moving interface with oscillatory roughness, or a rough moving interface. Possible experimental applications are discussed.