Two‐Dimensional Computer Modelling of Polycrystalline Film Growth

Abstract

Polycrystalline thin films, deposited from a vapour phase, often show a columnar morphology. We present computer simulations of a 2D model of the polycrystalline growth process. The model consists of randomly oriented squares, growing from a line. We find, that the characteristic length scale < Δ x > of the growing surface (average edge length projected on the substrate) diverges as a function of time according to a power law < x > ∼ t p , with p ≈ 0.52.