The relief of pseudomorphic strain in epilayers of f.c.c. structures grown in (110) orientation

Abstract

The relief of pseudomorphic strain in (110) epitaxial epilayers of f.c.c. structures is restricted by the orientation of the normal {111}(110) slip systems. Possible alternative relief mechanisms are discussed, and the consequences of the restriction are considered, especially in relation to the occurrence of anisotropic strain relief and one-dimensional pseudomorphism. These aspects are related to the occurrence of large-angle tilts of epilayers as reported by Flynn, and it is concluded that the tilts can be explained quantitatively in terms of misfit dislocations forming in (110) epilayers which exhibit one-dimensional pseudomorphism resulting from anisotropic strain relief.