NSF - Novel Strain Control in Thick Epitaxial Nanocomposite Films

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This Materials World Network Proposal: Novel Strain Control in Thick Epitaxial Nancomposite Films explores the growth, structure and physical properties of vertically strain-controlled nano-composite (VSCN) systems in epitaxial films. The proposed research is based on a recent discovery by the two investigators (Driscoll, UCAM and Wang, TAMU) and by Dr. Jia from LANL. The discovery opens the door to a brand-new avenue for lattice strain control in two-phase nanocomposites: By growing epitaxial nanocolumns in a two-phase mixture, it is possible to control the strain vertically in the system, independent of the interface. The elimination of interface control in the VSCN systems allows much thicker strained films (>300 nm) to be grown compared to lateral heteroepitaxial systems and thus allows a whole range of novel functional device possibilities.