The role of geometric considerations in the diamond-cubic boron nitride heteroepitaxial system

We report the methods and results of a theoretical study of the diamond-cubic boron nitride [BNcub] heteroepitaxial system. We introduce a general, geometric reciprocal space technique for evaluating candidate epitaxial configurations, and a novel system of essentially geometric criteria to order them from most to least likely to occur. In the diamond- BNcub system, it is found that low index like planes require a relatively small strain of 1.37% from bulk parameters. The unlike epitaxial configuration which pairs diamond{100} with BNcub{221} and yields two-dimensional coincidence with the same strain is favored above other low index mixed configurations. The essentially geometric nature of this epitaxial system is highlighted.

Duke Scholars

Author Jeffrey Glass Electrical and Computer Engineering