Modelling of Diffusion-Controlled Pattern Formation in Thin Metallic Film Growth on Crystalline Substrates

1 Introduction Diffusion-controlled growth of metal nanostructures and thin films on metallic and insulating substrates is important from both theoretical and practical points of view, including many technological applications, such as catalysis and microelectronics. Theory is challenged to describe two modes of thin film growth: monolayer-by-monolayer regime or 3D metal cluster formation [1]. In particular, the Ag thin film growth on MgO substrate is widely studied. Electron microscopy experiments performed at low and moderate temperatures for this system reveal two kinds of pattern formation: the spherical compact clusters and worm-like loose cluster growth [2].