Pattern formation and nonlinear dynamics at crystal surfaces
Prof. Dr. J. Krug (Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Köln)

Nonequilibrium processes at crystal surfaces, such as growth, sublimation, erosion or electromigration frequently induce morphological instabilities, which pattern the surface on nano- to micrometer length scales. The formation and evolution of such patterns is governed by the dynamics of crystal steps and their interaction with the absorbed atoms. In the talk I will give an overview of our recent work in this field, focusing in particular on the influence of step edge barriers on the formation of growth mound and spirals, and on the electromigration-driven dynamics of single layer islands.