Stranski-Krastanow strained islands undergo a shape anisotropy transition as they grow in size, finally evolving toward nanowires. This effect has been explained until now via simple energetic models that neglect thermodynamics. We investigate theoretically the stability of strained nanowires under thermal fluctuations of the long side. We find phase transitions from nanowires back to nanoislands as the temperature is increased and as the height of the nanostructure is raised or lowered, and we predict regions of phase coexistence. Our results are general, but explain recent data on the growth of erbium silicide on a vicinal Si surface.

• Received 26 February 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.245504