3. Thin films. Nucleation

The energy interactions between a substrate and an adsorbate, as discussed in the previous sections, are critical to many of the properties and formation mechanisms of thin films of various types. In the following, we will first address the phenomena of nucleation on a substrate, which constitute the first step in the formation of thin films. Next, we will summarize the mechanisms of growth of the nuclei formed, as well as the nature and morphology of the resulting deposits. This latter step is, with few exceptions, common to both thin films and large single crystals.