Abstract
Variations in the surface supersaturation σ s, caused by an abrupt (stepped) change in bulk supersaturation σ and subsequent exponential decrease or increase in σ, are studied with the use of the surface diffusion theory of Burton, Cabrera and Frank (BCF). The study is based on the analytical solution [M. Rak, Surf. Sci. 442 (1999) 149] of the BCF time-dependent equation. It is shown that the solution can be approximated by a simple expression convenient for the analysis. It is found that at the time t=0, the instantaneous rate of a change in the surface supersaturation σ s is determined only by the exchange of growth units between the crystal surface and the solution bulk, and is not affected by the surface diffusion. If an abrupt increase in bulk supersaturation σ at t=0 is followed by an exponential decrease in σ, then at t M>0 the function σ s of t has a maximum. In the opposite case, i.e. if an abrupt decrease in σ at t=0 is followed by an exponential increase in σ, then σ s has a minimum at t M>0. The time t M is estimated and an effect of variations in σ on value of t M is analysed.
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