The effect of the localized strain fields of misfit dislocations, upon epitaxial growth, was studied by means of  in situ  scanning tunnelling microscopy. Marked surface deformations were observed which were caused by single dislocations and dislocation reactions; in excellent quantitative agreement with calculations that were based upon elasticity theory. Due to a local reduction in the strain energy at the surface above the interfacial dislocations, ridge-like structures formed as a result of stress-driven surface diffusion during growth.

G.Springholz, G.Bauer, V.Holy: Physical Review B, 1996, 54[7], 4500-3