Growth shape of crystallites on a substrate: A Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract

The growth of a separate crystallite on a foreign substrate is studied by the Monte Carlo method of computer simulation. The time dependences are obtained of the volume V, the mean height h and the shape factor ƒ of the crystallite at various constant supersaturations s. It is found that the crystallite growth shape changes considerably with s; the higher the supersaturation, the flatter the crystallite. The simulation data for V, h and ƒ are used for verification of the theory of polylayer growth of a crystallite on a foreign substrate [D. Kashchiev, J. Crystal Growth 67 (1984) 559]. A good qualitative agreement is established, but, quantitatively, the theory is found to predict somewhat slower growth of the crystallite.