The cathodic deposition of silver metal on single crystalline silver bromide leads to deposits with different morphologies depending on the cathode geometry and the current density. The deposition at an extended planar electrode results in the growth of silver whiskers. The deposition at a point (micro-)electrode results in dendritic deposits on the surface of the solid electrolyte. The morphological development of the deposits is studied with microelectrodes of different diameters. A characteristic change from dendritic to whisker growth at microelectrodes upon time is always found. As the reason for the change of the growth mode from dendritic to whisker-type, the changing electric field distribution around a growing surface deposit is discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.