Thin film condensation processes

Abstract

The status of knowledge of phase nucleation and growth processes on a solid surface in one- and multicomponent systems is surveyed. The formation kinetics and subsequent evolution of phase islands are investigated. Models for film growth from vapour and solutionmelt phases are analyzed which include island distribution in size, coalescence degree, orientation, morphological stability, etc. The Ostwald maturing of the ensembles of multicomponent islands of a new phase is considered for both the isothermal and non-isothermal cases and nonlinear effects involved in the growth of continuous structures are examined. The problem of controllable growth of new phase layers is discussed.