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Main Authors: Chabowska, Marta A., Załuska-Kotur, Magdalena A.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.08112
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author Chabowska, Marta A.
Załuska-Kotur, Magdalena A.
author_facet Chabowska, Marta A.
Załuska-Kotur, Magdalena A.
contents Crystal growth processes produce a diverse array of surface formations, primarily distinguished by their geometric shapes. While some structures strictly adhere to the underlying crystal symmetry, others exhibit universal circular or oval geometries. Utilizing Vicinal Cellular Automata (VicCA) modeling, we demonstrate that these morphological differences depend on the spatial distribution of the growth potential. Specifically, local potential variations concentrated around surface steps drive the formation of the lattice symmetry - following structures, whereas global potentials - often originating from defects-generate universal spherical or oval shapes. Furthermore, we illustrate how these morphologies are influenced by the growth parameters such as sticking coefficient or diffusion coefficient. Although the positioning of surface defects is difficult to control, we show that temperature and external particle flux can be effectively used to steer and manipulate surface pattern formation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_08112
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Shape Selection in Nanopillar Formation
Chabowska, Marta A.
Załuska-Kotur, Magdalena A.
Materials Science
Crystal growth processes produce a diverse array of surface formations, primarily distinguished by their geometric shapes. While some structures strictly adhere to the underlying crystal symmetry, others exhibit universal circular or oval geometries. Utilizing Vicinal Cellular Automata (VicCA) modeling, we demonstrate that these morphological differences depend on the spatial distribution of the growth potential. Specifically, local potential variations concentrated around surface steps drive the formation of the lattice symmetry - following structures, whereas global potentials - often originating from defects-generate universal spherical or oval shapes. Furthermore, we illustrate how these morphologies are influenced by the growth parameters such as sticking coefficient or diffusion coefficient. Although the positioning of surface defects is difficult to control, we show that temperature and external particle flux can be effectively used to steer and manipulate surface pattern formation.
title Shape Selection in Nanopillar Formation
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.08112