Strain and correlation of self-organized Ge_(1-x)Mn_x nanocolumns embedded in Ge (001)

TL;DR

This paper investigates the structural properties and elastic deformation of self-organized Ge_(1-x)Mn_x nanocolumns embedded in a Ge matrix, using advanced microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques, supported by atomistic simulations.

Contribution

It provides detailed analysis of the strain and correlation effects in Ge_(1-x)Mn_x nanocolumns, combining experimental observations with theoretical modeling.

Findings

Elastic deformation around nanocolumns influences diffraction peak shapes

Inter-column distance correlates with strain distribution

Atomistic simulations match experimental diffraction data

Abstract

We report on the structural properties of Ge_(1-x)Mn_x layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. In these layers, nanocolumns with a high Mn content are embedded in an almost-pure Ge matrix. We have used grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, atomic force and transmission electron microscopy to study the structural properties of the columns. We demonstrate how the elastic deformation of the matrix (as calculated using atomistic simulations) around the columns, as well as the average inter-column distance can account for the shape of the diffusion around Bragg peaks.