Scanning tunnelling microscopy studies of nucleation and growth of silver films

Different stages of nucleation and growth of silver films grown on gold-coated mica by vacuum evaporation have been studied by using scanning tunnelling microscopy. These studies reveal a complete picture of the sequence of events from initial island formation to a fairly smooth film surface. The surface roughness pattern matches the growth process. The angle of contact of the cap-shaped silver islands formed during the initial stages of growth was found to be about 12°, confirming three-dimensional island type of growth.