Particle aggregation on dewetting solid water films

Solid water films are used to create a wide range of nanostructures through buffer-layer-assisted growth. Metal atoms vapor-deposited onto solid water films form clusters that aggregate as the film is heated. The aggregation process is driven by the dewetting, islanding, and sublimation of the ice films. The sizes, shapes, and densities of the resulting nanostructures are determined by the formation of ice islands whose sizes and densities are controlled by the thickness of the ice film.