Theoretical Modeling of Epitaxial Graphene Growth on the Ir(111) Surface

One possible method of producing high-quality graphene is to grow it epitaxially; this thesis investigates the mechanisms involved in doing so. It describes how the initial stages of growth on the Ir(111) surface are modelled using both rate equations and kinetic Monte Carlo, based upon nudged elastic band (NEB) calculated reaction energy barriers. The results show that the decomposition mechanism...