High-resolution x-ray diffraction analysis of thin III-V layers and quantum wires (Invited Paper)

The x-ray diffraction from very thin buried semiconductor layers (Angstrom level) and from quantum wires are reviewed. The structural properties like layer thickness, chemical composition, lattice strain and the onset of strain relaxation are investigated analyzing the experimental data by using a computer simulation based on a dynamical diffraction model. The experimental diffraction patterns on quantum wires exhibit satellite peaks which are analyzed by using a kinematical diffraction model. An elastic strain relaxation of the quantum wires which results in an orthorhombic unit cell deformation is observed.