The possibility of using sub-surface dislocation arrays as a tool for controlling the nucleation of self-assembled quantum dots was investigated. A quantitative model predicted that periodic non-uniform elastic fields on the surface, introduced by dislocations, could control lateral ordering self-assembled quantum dots. The effect of dislocations was shown to be comparable to the interaction between buried and surface dots which led to vertical dot stacking. The periodic sub-surface dislocation arrays which were necessary for dot ordering could be produced by twist wafer bonding and reverse-side substrate removal.

Lateral Ordering of Quantum Dots by Periodic Sub-Surface Stressors. A.E.Romanov, P.M.Petroff, J.S.Speck: Applied Physics Letters, 1999, 74[16], 2280-2