We Can Figure This Out.org
Virtual Lab: Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE)
University of Virginia
             
 
© 2003-Present, John C. Bean
 
At the beginning, the evaporated atoms of Si and Ge are stopped by a large plate and movable doors ("shutters") located immediately above the e-guns. Because these surfaces are not hot, the Si and Ge atoms simply condense on their bottom surfaces.

This is why MBE is like spray painting: to stop things, simply block the spray.

There is one more thing to do before growth begins:

 
Last Scene
Next Scene