  Morphological evolution of heteroepitaxial nanoislands toward equilibrium
(coarsening) is computed using the detailed continuum model that incorporates
the quantum size effect. Results reveal the metastability of the "magic"
heights, show the morphological transitions and the surface diffusion routes by
which a quantum island reaches its stable height, and provide the coarsening
laws for the island density and area, thus clarifying the kinetic morphology
pathways in the growth of an ultrathin metal films.
