R.D. Murphy, R.O. Watts
Journal of Low Temperature Physics
The surface morphology of epitaxial (001) Si1-x Gex films, subject to biaxial strain, is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Distinct facets are observed, oriented on {105}, {311}, and {518} crystal faces. The tiled arrangement of facets resembles a mosaic. We find that the growth sequence begins with the shallow {105} facets, followed by the appearance of steeper facets. After strain relaxation, the morphology coarsens and facets become less distinct. The existence of discrete facets produces a kinetic barrier to strain-induced roughening; and we show that increasing this barrier (by growing at reduced strain or reduced temperature) leads to a flatter surface morphology. © 1994.
R.D. Murphy, R.O. Watts
Journal of Low Temperature Physics
Sharee J. McNab, Richard J. Blaikie
Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings
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Physical Review B
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