Abstract
We identify a new mechanism of stress driven surface morphological evolution in strained semiconductor films. Surface roughness forms by a cooperative mechanism involving the sequential nucleation of islands and pits, which is distinct from the conventional view of ripple formation as an Asaro-Tiller-Grinfeld (ATG) instability. This mechanism is operative both during annealing and growth and competes with the ATG instability as a kinetic pathway to ripple formation.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1330-1333 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |