Debye Model of Step Wandering

ORAL

Abstract

The stiffness of steps on vicinal crystal surfaces is often detemined by fitting experimental step wandering functions to a theoretical form, which is based on a harmonic approximation to the potential experienced by the step. This approximation is analagous to the Einstein model of solids, and it can likewise be improved by a "Debye model" in which the spatial dependence is implicit through the relative positions of neighboring steps. The form of the resulting wandering function will be presented and compared with numerical simulations of the terrace-step-kink model for a range of step interactions.

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Authors

  • Howard Richards

    Dept. of Physics, Texas A\&M-Commerce

  • Kevin Morris

    Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A\&M University-Commerce, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas A\&M University, University of North Texas, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Texas A\&M-Commerce, Mississippi State University, Department of Physics and Institute for Quantum Studies, Texas A\&M University, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Materials Science, University of North Texas, Dept. of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004

  • Kevin Morris

    Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A\&M University-Commerce, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas A\&M University, University of North Texas, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Texas A\&M-Commerce, Mississippi State University, Department of Physics and Institute for Quantum Studies, Texas A\&M University, Texas Tech University, Dept. of Materials Science, University of North Texas, Dept. of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004