Growth and decrescence of two-dimensional crystals: A Markov rate process

A Markov rate process whose transitions are captures and escapes of single atoms from the edge of a two-dimensional crystal is introduced. The stochastic equilibrium states of this process describe steady crystal growth, crystal-fluid equilibrium, and steady crystal decrescence. Exact and asymptotic growth rates are found. This extends recent results which dealt only with capture events. One application is to the growth of lamellar crystals from polymers.