Misfit dislocation loops in composite nanowires

Abstract

A new mechanism for relaxation of misfit stresses in composite nanowires (quantum wires) is suggested and theoretically examined, namely the formation of misfit dislocation loops. The stress field of a prismatic dislocation loop in a cylinder (nanowire) is calculated. The parameters of two-phase composite nanowires at which the formation of misfit dislocation loops is energetically favourable are estimated. The effect of stress fields of dislocation loops on the formation of compositionally modulated nanowires is discussed.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported, in part, by the Office of US Naval Research (grant N00014-01-1-1020), ‘Integration’ Program (grant B26), Russian Fund of Basic Researches, Russian Academy of Sciences Program ‘Structural mechanics of materials and construction elements’, and St Petersburg Scientific Center.