Simulation of Wetting Phase Transitions in Thin Films

Kinetics of nickel particle formation on silicon substrate with a buffer layer of niobium nitride

“…In accordance with the theory, dynamics of film thickness distribution h ≡ h(x, y, t) is described by the equation [23][24][25][26][27][28]:…”

“…Therefore, we suggest that the considered nickel film of nanosized thickness is in fluidic state at the temperature of T = 880 • C that is significantly less than corresponding melting temperature T L = 1454 • C [38]. This assumption allows us to apply the wetting transition theory [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] for description of the film transformation under thermal ageing.…”

“…Besides, a few plausible assumptions about the interaction potential properties originating from the wetting transition theory have been made (see, e.g. [24][25][26][27][28]). It is assumed that the film with a small thickness h is characterized by dominating repulsion forces, so we come to the first condition ∂V/∂h → −∞ with h → 0.…”

“…This theory allows to describe the equilibrium form of drops on substrate [24,26,27] and the dynamics of the thin liquid film distribution during the thermal ageing [27][28][29]. Transformation of an ultrathin film into an array of well-separated particles during wetting transition has been reported in numerous studies [23][24][25][26][27][28]. The process has been observed during thermal ageing with polymer [29][30][31] and metal [32,33] films of ∼10 nm thickness.…”

“…Analysis of the catalyst particle formation from thin films can be performed using the wetting transition theory [23][24][25]. This theory allows to describe the equilibrium form of drops on substrate [24,26,27] and the dynamics of the thin liquid film distribution during the thermal ageing [27][28][29]. Transformation of an ultrathin film into an array of well-separated particles during wetting transition has been reported in numerous studies [23][24][25][26][27][28].…”