A new mechanism for relaxation of misfit stresses in composite nanowires (quantum wires) was suggested and theoretically examined, namely the formation of misfit dislocation loops. The stress field of a prismatic dislocation loop in a cylinder (nanowire) was calculated. The parameters of two-phase composite nanowires at which the formation of misfit dislocation loops was energetically favorable were estimated. The effect of the stress fields of dislocation loops upon the formation of compositionally modulated nanowires was considered.

Misfit Dislocation Loops in Composite Nanowires. I.A.Ovidko, A.G.Sheinerman: Philosophical Magazine, 2004, 84[20], 2103-18