Aggregation Behaviors of Cr Atoms Sputtering Deposited on Flat and Curved Liquid Surfaces

We report on the aggregation behaviors of Cr atoms deposited on flat and curved silicone oil substrates by the sputtering technique. It is found that the Cr atoms are prone to form quasi-circular clusters first and then these clusters connect with each other to form ramified or network-shaped aggregates. In the case of a flat liquid surface, large quasi-circular clusters are frequently observed and their sizes increase with the deposition time. In the case of a curved surface with a larger curvature, the Cr atoms and clusters tend to move toward to the oil drop edge, and ramified aggregates with small widths are shaped. In the case of a curved surface with smaller curvature, large quasi-circular clusters and ramified aggregations can coexist. Based on the motion features of the Cr atoms and clusters on different liquid surfaces, various distinct film morphologies are discussed in detail.