Interferometric characterization of growth dynamics during dendritic electrodeposition of zinc

We propose a dynamical interferometric analysis of the electrodeposition of zinc in thin gap cells without supporting electrolyte. The emphasis is made on the dendritic regime, which is observed under high current conditions. We show that the growth process can be split into four different stages: a fast polarization of the interface, a two-step depletion regime where the metallic interface encounters two successive destabilizations, and a large field screening regime leading to few dendrites. {} 1996 The American Physical Society.