Observations of self-assembled microscale triangular-shaped spikes in copper and silver thin films

► Thin films are deposited at oblique and glancing vapor incidence angles. ► Self-assembled triangular-shaped spikes are formed in copper and silver thin films. ► These triangular-shaped spikes have not been previously reported. ► Morphology of spikes and films investigated with scanning electron microscopy images ► Triangular-shaped spikes reach 2 μm in size for films deposited at 80 and 85°.