Figure 1
From: Optimum deposition conditions of ultrasmooth silver nanolayers
AFM images of 30-nm-thick Ag films scanned at RT. Samples deposited at (a) 295 K and (b) 170 K - the surface smoothness is influenced solely by thermal migration of atoms leading to continuous and almost uniform layers, (c) at 140 K - islands due to atom migration and deposition onto sapphire substrate covered with water ice nanocrystals are more pronounced, and (d) at 90 K - the surface smoothness is deteriorated by cracks that result from water ice crystal melting.