Strain-induced ordering in silicon-germanium alloys

Abstract

The structural stability of ordered $\mathrm{AB}$ alloys on the diamond lattice is discussed from the point of view of the competition between bond-angle and heterogeneous bond-length constraints. An infinite number of layered structures are favored in the absence of applied strain. With uniaxial strain a special ordered structure, consistent with recent electron diffraction measurements, is stabilized.