title: Interplay between thermodynamics and kinetics in the capping of InAs/GaAs(001) quantum dots.
abstract: A microscopic picture for the GaAs overgrowth of self-organized quantum dots is developed. Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements reveal two capping regimes: the first being characterized by a dot shrinking and a backward pyramid-to-dome shape transition. This regime is governed by fast dynamics resulting in island morphologies close to thermodynamic equilibrium. The second regime is marked by a true overgrowth and is controlled by kinetically limited surface diffusion processes. A simple model is developed to describe the observed structural changes which are rationalized in terms of energetic minimization driven by lattice mismatch and alloying.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, Heisenbergstrasse 1, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costantini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rastelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manzano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Acosta-Diaz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Songmuang
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Katsaros
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kern