Activation energy for the decay of two-dimensional islands on Cu(100)

Abstract
Experimental data on the decay rate of two-dimensional islands on Cu(100) as a function of temperature are reported. The decay is limited by the attachment-detachment process. A comparison of the experimentally observed activation energy for the decay rate with results from first-principles theory renders further support to the understanding that on Cu(100) island decay is due to mass transport via vacancies.