The edge free energy of an atomically smooth diamond surface

Abstract

A simple graphical method is derived for the determination of the edge free energy γ of an atomically smooth diamond (111) surface. In this approach, the authors first obtain the graph of dimensionless growth rate against the degree of undercooling for various standard temperatures by Monte Carlo simulation. The linear portion of the curve is then extrapolated to intercept the undercooling axis and the critical degree ( Δ μ*/ kT) of undercooling is found. The value of γ can then be obtained from a relationship between γ and Δ μ */kT, as derived in this paper. The temperature dependence of the γ obtained is found to be similar to that obtained for a Kossel crystal by Leamy and Gilmer (1974). © 1988 IOP Publishing Ltd.