Blossey R, Lorke A. Wetting droplet instability and quantum ring formation.
PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2002;
65:021603. [PMID:
11863536 DOI:
10.1103/physreve.65.021603]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2001] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
InAs islands on GaAs substrates undergo a morphological change into ring-shaped configurations upon deposition of a GaAs layer after island growth. By invoking an analogy of the InAs islands to wetting droplets on solid substrates, we suggest that this transition might be brought about by a change of the surface free-energy balance at the three-phase contact-line between GaAs, InAs, and vacuum (or As atmosphere). Our scenario can also be tested in conventional liquid systems (e.g., polymers).
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