Effect of the Substrate Surface Charge on Deposited Layers

Abstract

The effect of electric charges and electrostatic fields on the growth of different films on the surface of dielectric crystals has been investigated. It has been established that the surface charge does not affect the nucleation but determines the diffusion processes. A negative surface charge facilitates high mobility of growing islands, which finally leads to the formation of a continuous film. The strain anisotropy is discussed from the viewpoint of anisotropic distribution of charges induced by the substrate electric field on an island.