Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
A review of the experimental and theoretical results describing thin film growth modes is presented. Thermodynamic criteria for determining which growth mode might be expected to occur in a particular case along with some kinetic considerations are given. The characteristics of each of the three principal growth modes, namely Frank and van der Merwe (layer), Stranski-Krastanov (layer plus island), and Volmer-Weber (island), are discussed. Lastly, the requirements favoring the growth of epitaxial multilayers are briefly considered.