Generation and decomposition of volatile tin hydrides monitored by in situ quartz crystal microbalances

► Only one SnH4 molecule was generated per 90 000 incident H radicals. ► SnH4 species decompose with a high efficiency (close to 100%) on the target crystal. ► H exposure leads to a significant surface reorganization on the Sn coated crystal. ► SnH4 decomposition on the target crystal creates island like features.