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Title: Self-Organized Growth of Alloy Superlattices

Journal Article · · Nature
OSTI ID:1080

We predict theoretically and demonstrate experimentally the spontaneous formation of a superlattice during crystal growth. When a strained alloy grows by "step flow", the steps at the surface form periodic bunches. The resulting modulated strain biases the incorporation of the respective alloy components at different steps in the bunch, leading to the formation of a superlattice. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy for SiGe grown on Si give clear evidence for such spontaneous superlattice formation.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1080
Report Number(s):
SAND98-2351J; ON: DE00001080
Journal Information:
Nature, Journal Name: Nature
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English