Two-dimensional phase separation and surface-reconstruction driven atomic ordering in mixed III–V layers

In mixed III–V layers atomic species having different covalent tetrahedral radii are not distributed at random on their respective sublattices. Two types of deviation from randomness are observed: (i) phase separation, and (ii) atomic ordering. Phase separation is two-dimensional in nature, occurs on the surface while the layer is growing and is driven by surface thermodynamics. In contrast, atomic ordering is induced by subsurface stresses associated with (2×4) and (2×3) reconstructions of group V terminated (001) surfaces. These stresses bias the occupation of sites by atomic species differing in their tetrahedral radii and this feature leads to the evolution of double and triple period superlattices on (111)B, (111)B, and (111)A, (111)A planes respectively.