Direct observation of the coexistence of coherent and incoherent InAs self-assembled dots by x-ray scattering

In this letter, grazing incidence x-ray scattering is employed as a method to identify relaxed islands in an ensemble of partially coherent self-assembled InAs quantum dots. A simple model of strained pyramidal islands enables the association of the local lattice parameter of an island to its lateral size. A comparison between the island side length and its strain state allows the identification of coherent and incoherent nanostructures, revealing the size–strain interplay during growth.