Numerical Study of Crystal Size Distribution in Polynuclear Growth

Abstract

The crystal size distribution in polynuclear growth is numerically studied using a coupled map lattice model. The width of the size distribution depends on c/D, where c is the growth rate at interface sites and $D$ is the diffusion constant. When c/D is sufficiently small, the width W increases linearly with c/D and saturates at large c/D. Monodisperse square and cubic crystals are obtained respectively on square and cubic lattices when c/D is sufficiently small for a small kinetic parameter b. The linear dependence of W on c/D in a parameter range of small c/D is explained by the eigenfunction for the first eigenvalue in a two-dimensional model and a mean-field model. For the mean-field model, the slope of the linear dependence is evaluated theoretically.