Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5426837 Surface Science 2006 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

Using molecular-dynamics simulation, we investigate the self-deposition of Aln clusters (n < 4000) on an Al substrate at velocities below the velocity of sound. Both cold crystalline and hot liquid clusters are studied. We examine the cluster deformation after impact on the surface, which we quantify by its height and base radius. At a given cluster velocity, the shape of deposited crystalline clusters is rather independent of the cluster size; only at small cluster sizes, n ≲ 40, the clusters are less strongly deformed. With increasing cluster size, liquid clusters are more strongly deformed than crystalline clusters. Faster projectiles become more strongly flattened by the deposition process. Even clusters depositing with vanishing velocity show a finite deformation, which is considerable for smaller clusters. At large cluster speed, clusters penetrate deeper into the (1 0 0) surface than into the (1 1 1) surface and also deform more strongly.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemistry Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
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