Leveraging dewetting models rather than nucleation models: current crystallographic challenges in interfacial and nanomaterials research

Abstract

Abstract No scientific model has shaped crystallography as much as the classical nucleation theory (CNT). The majority of all growth processes and particle formation processes are attributed to the CNT. However, alternative descriptions exist that may be better suited to explain material formation under certain conditions. One of these alternatives is the dewetting theory (DWT). To describe the possibilities of DWT in more detail, we selected three material systems for three current application areas: Gold particles on silicon as catalysts for nanowire growth, indium particles on molybdenum as precursor material in novel solar cell concepts, and silicon layers on silicon germanium as potential wells in semiconductor quantum computers. Each of these material systems showed particular advantages of DWT over CNT. For example, the properties of surface particles with high atomic mobility could be described more realistically using DWT. Yet, there were clear indications that the DWT is not yet complete and that further research is needed to complete it. In particular, modern crystallographic challenges could serve this purpose, for example the development of semiconductor quantum computers, in order to re-evaluate known models such as the CNT and DWT and adapt them to the latest state of science and technology. For the time being, this article will give an outlook on the advantages of the DWT today and its potential for future research in crystallography.