Kink density and growth velocity in the kinetic BCSOS model

The kink density and its influence on the growth velocity in the kinetic BCSOS model are studied using an exact finite-size analysis based on the transition matrix method and a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation at equilibrium and during growth. The bcc(0 0 1) surface fluctuates in the model through condensation and evaporation of atoms at the surface considered as Markov processes according to a generalized Glauber dynamics. A low-temperature kink energy is estimated from the kink density and its behaviour as a function of the driving force Δμ is discussed. The numerical results on the (001) surface and some vicinal surfaces reveal that the kink site usually considered where an incoming atom can get two perpendicular horizontal bonds is important in deriving the surface growth kinetics and modes.