On the Growth and Phase Transitions of Self-Assembled Quantum Dots -- Theoretical Studies

The talk discusses first some earlier analytic approaches on the growth and phase transitions of self-assembled quantum dots formed on semiconductor surfaces. Furthermore, current related research activity will be presented regarding a remarkable bulk morphological transition taking place in a layered prototype system. Our related Monte Carlo and Cahn-Hilliard simulations reproduced all the experimentally observed morphological phases including the growth of pinholes, the formation of a percolation network and its breaking up into isolated quantum-dots. The simulated dot sizes were in a quantitative agreement with the experimental values. The robustness of the results, i. e. the insensitivity to temperature and to the details of atomic exchange mechanisms and binding interaction types undoubtedly demonstrates the topological nature of this nanocapillarity forces driven transition.