Seeded self-ordering of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wires on non-planar substrates

Self-ordering of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wires grown by organometallic chemical vapor deposition on grooved substrates was studied. The evolution of the surface profile at the corner between two quasi-{111}A planes was evaluated using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. The radius of curvature at the corner exhibits a reproducible, self-limiting value of 7.7 ± 0.7 nm, which increases linearly during subsequent growth of GaAs layers and decreases exponentially to its self-limiting value during further growth of AlGaAs layers. This provides the basis for the self-ordering of periodic, vertically stacked arrays of quantum wires with virtually identical shape, size and composition.