Strain distributions in lattice-mismatched semiconductor core-shell nanowires

TL;DR

This paper investigates the elastic strain distributions in lattice-mismatched core-shell nanowires using finite element analysis, revealing complex strain behaviors and discontinuities at the core-shell interface.

Contribution

It provides a detailed finite element analysis of strain distributions in lattice-mismatched nanowires with multiple shells, highlighting complex strain variations and discontinuities.

Findings

Strain trace shows discontinuities at the core-shell interface.

Individual strain components exhibit complex spatial variations.

Finite element method effectively models elastic deformation in nanowires.

Abstract

The authors study the elastic deformation field in lattice-mismatched core-shell nanowires with single and multiple shells. The authors consider infinite wires with a hexagonal cross section under the assumption of translational symmetry. The strain distributions are found by minimizing the elastic energy per unit cell using the finite element method. The authors find that the trace of the strain is discontinuous with a simple, almost piecewise variation between core and shell, whereas the individual components of the strain can exhibit complex variations.