The dependence of step velocity upon length was calculated within a model for step motion via the formation of 1-dimensional nuclei. This dependence was then used to determine the slope and normal growth rate of a dislocation hillock as a function of supersaturation. During its motion on the surface, the step encountered impurity particles that hindered the propagation of 1-dimensional nuclei, and thereby reduced the step velocity. The dependence of the mean step velocity upon supersaturation was determined for various impurity concentrations. A procedure was proposed for the analysis of experimental data in order to evaluate the concentrations of impurity stoppers which were adsorbed by the surface, the kink concentrations on steps, the rate of kink formation, and their velocity.

Motion of Elementary Step by Formation of One-Dimensional Nuclei in the Presence of Impurity Stoppers. T.A.Onishchenko, G.T.Moldazhanova, O.V.Monovskii, L.N.Rashkovich: Kristallografiya, 1996, 41[3], 389-95 (Crystallography Reports, 1996, 41[3], 413-9)