Probing ordering in self-assembled nanostructures by Raman scattering interferometry

Raman scattering interferences are shown to provide a means of probing self-organization in quantum dot multilayers. These interferences result from the interaction between acoustic phonons and confined electronic states. The degree of alignment in Ge/Si quantum dot multilayers has been derived from the interference contrast. Clear evidence of the staggered arrangement is found in the Raman spectra of InAs/InAlAs quantum wires.