Evolution of Two-Dimensional Wormlike Nanoclusters on Metal Surfaces

Woei Wu Pai, John F. Wendelken, C. R. Stoldt, P. A. Thiel, J. W. Evans, Da-Jiang Liu
2001 Physical Review Letters  
A pinch-off phenomenon is discovered in the evolution of 2D wormlike nanoclusters formed in homoepitaxial adlayers. This feature is shown to distinguish mass transport via periphery diffusion from other mechanisms. Continuum modeling of such evolution accurately describes experimental observations, particularly if one incorporates the anisotropy in step-edge line tension.
doi:10.1103/physrevlett.86.3088 pmid:11290114 fatcat:scvl262slnbszecc3ekdsceife