Franck-van der Merwe growth

Two-dimensional layer-by-layer growth (Figure 3c), also called Franck-van der Merwe growth, occurs when the film atoms are equally or less strongly bonded to each other than to the substrate. This growth mode applies to homoepitaxy on clean substrates (e.g., Si on Si). The presence of... 

Figure 3. Crystal growth modes (a) three-dimensional island (Volmer-Weber) growth, (b) layer-plus-island (Stranski-Kastanov) growth, and (c) layer-by-layer (Franck-van der Merwe) growth.

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