The formation of shadows behind small particles has been thought to be a geometric process (GP) where the metal cap build up on the particle creates a shadow width the same size as or larger than the particle. This GP cannot explain why gold particle shadow widths are generally larger than the gold particle and may have no appreciable metal cap build up (fig. 1). Ruben and Telford have suggested that particle shadow widths are formed by the width dependent deflection of shadow metal (SM) lateral to and infront of the particle. The trajectory of the deflected SM is determined by the incoming shadow angle (45°). Since there can be up to 1.4 times (at 45°) more SM directly striking the particle than the film surface, a ridge of metal nuclei lateral to and infront of the particle can be formed. This ridge in turn can prevent some SM from directly landing in the metal free shadow area. However, the SM that does land in the shadow area (not blocked by the particle or its ridge) does not stick and apparently surface migrates into the SM film behind the particle.