Evolution of the cluster shape during the growth of Ag on MgO(001)

The experimental results obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in-situ grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) on the growth of silver thin films on MgO(001) surfaces have been interpreted in terms of a general model which reproduce all the data for a wide thickness range. Silver films grow along a three-dimensional Volmer–Weber growth mode. Clusters are pictured as truncated pyramids whose shape is described through parameters that vary continuously during growth, thus evidencing an evolution, which cannot be taken into account by simpler models. The corresponding growth laws for the clusters were quantitatively determined.