Thin film condensation processes

The status of knowledge of phase nucleation and growth processes on a solid surface in one- and multicomponent systems is surveyed. The formation kinetics and subsequent evolution of phase islands are investigated. Models for film growth from vapour and solution-melt phases are analyzed which include island distribution in size, coalescence degree, orientation, morphological stability, etc. The Ostwald maturing of the ensembles of multicomponent islands of a new phase is considered for both the isothermal and non-isothermal cases and nonlinear effects involved in the growth of continuous structures are examined. The problem of controllable growth of new phase layers is discussed.