Equilibrium Shapes and Properties of Epitaxially Strained Islands

B. J. Spencer and J. Tersoff
Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 4858 – Published 15 December 1997
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Abstract

We calculate the equilibrium morphology of an epitaxial strained layer which wets the substrate (Stranski-Krastanow growth), in a two-dimensional continuum model. The layer coalesces into a single discrete island, with zero contact angle to the film wetting the substrate. Small islands have a minimum width, and hence an arbitrarily small aspect ratio. Very large coherent islands have a shape that approaches a ball sitting atop the wetting layer.

  • Received 14 August 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.4858

©1997 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

B. J. Spencer

  • Department of Mathematics, SUNY at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14214-3093

J. Tersoff

  • IBM Research Division, T. J. Watson Research Center, P.O. Box 218, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598

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Vol. 79, Iss. 24 — 15 December 1997

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