Finite size effects on surface excess quantities: application to crystal growth and surface melting of epitaxial layers

Abstract

From a macroscopic point of view phase transitions as surface melting or two dimensional (2D) towards three dimensional (3D) growth mode (Stranski-Krastanov transition) can be described in terms of Gibbs excess quantity duly amended by size effects (since usual Gibbs excess quantities are only well defined for semi-infinite systems). The aim of this study is to consider such amended quantities to describe surface melting and Stranski-Krastanov transition of epitaxial layers. the so-introduced size effects allows us to predict the equilibrium thickness of the wetting layer of the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode and to describe and classify two different melting cases: the incomplete melting relayed by a first order transition and the continuous premelting relayed by continuous overheating