Three-dimensional growth characteristics of antimony aggregates on graphite

The growth of antimony aggregates on the basal plane of graphite via diffusion and aggregation of Sb₄ clusters has been investigated with scanning electron microscopy, and in 3-dimensions with atomic force microscopy. The aggregate morphologies depend critically on the deposition conditions. It is shown that a transition from compact to branched morphologies with increasing aggregate size, depends on the particle flux. Also, the aggregate heights are strongly influenced by flux, with higher fluxes producing flatter aggregates. The heights of individual island branches are also shown to depend on the local diffusion field.