Abstract
A simple analysis assuming hard-sphere atomic behavior and considering surface and volume energies has been applied to estimate the stability of very small fcc crystals having different external shapes. Such crystals or particles are commonly produced by vacuum evaporation, or evaporation in a reduced pressure inert gas atmosphere. The analysis has been extended to small crystals (or nuclei) of fcc metals condensed on substrates by assuming that the metal-substrate interfacial energy is comparable to that of a large angle metallic grain boundary. Icosahedral, pentagonal decahedral, tetrahedral, octahedral, and pyramidal particles were considered, and the relative stability predictions are generally in accord with observations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
