Abstract
ABSTRACTWe present general results demonstrating the existence of thermodynamic driving forces that effect the shape of small equilibrium regions (“droplets”), such as islands in epitaxial growth. These effects are due to critical fluctuations. They occur when the droplet, if it were infinite, would be at or near a second-order phase transition. Depending on the droplet geometry, they can lead to elongation, sharpening of “points”, or healing of “dents”. It is important to consider such effects, since in many surface preparation and modification techniques the shape of small islands can have a significant influence on the ultimate surface morphology.
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