X-ray topography of the coherency breakdown in Ge<i>x</i>Si1−<i>x</i>/Si(100)

Abstract

An x-ray topography study is presented of the coherency breakdown in GexSi1−x/Si(100) strained epilayers. Finite dislocation densities (in excess of 103 cm−2) are observed at compositions in the range 12–13 at. % Ge for an epilayer thickness of h≊180 nm. Above 13 at. % Ge the dislocation density starts to change rapidly and this composition is identified as critical for h≊180 nm, a thickness which is almost a factor of 4 lower than the accepted ‘‘critical’’ thickness for this lattice mismatch. The result suggests that in low-mismatched GexSi1−x alloys the dislocation density will increase continuously at the ‘‘critical’’ thickness, as opposed to exhibiting a sharp onset. The implications of these results to the various models of the critical thickness transition are discussed.