Application of fractals and kinetic equations in modeling cluster and ultrafine particle size distributions

We briefly describe a model which seems to be applicable to a variety of coalescence growth systems. Spanning cluster growth, particle growth and hillock formation in thin metal films, this model is based on the Smoluchowski kinetic equations and fractals. We describe how this model has been able to suggest the effect of translational to internal energy conversion in coalescing systems in determining the shape of particle size distributions. We also suggest how this model can be employed to account for the behavior of hillocks in supersaturated alloy films under thermal annealing conditions.