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The growth modes of InAs on the three low index orientations of GaAs during molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are very different, despite a constant lattice mismatch of ≈7%. Coherent three-dimensional (3D) growth occurs only on (001) surfaces; on the other two orientations strain relaxation involves misfit dislocation formation and a continuous two dimensional growth mode. Strain is therefore not a sufficient condition to induce 3D growth. Reflection high-energy electron-diffraction and scanning tunnelling microscopy observations confirm that an intermediate `wetting layer' is formed on (001)-oriented substrates prior to the formation of quantum dots. The thickness and composition of this layer is dependent on both growth temperature and the amount of InAs deposited, but it is always an (In, Ga)As alloy. We have also confirmed that substantial mass transport occurs during quantum dot formation and that the dots themselves have an alloy composition. A model to account for at least some of these effects, based on rate equations, is introduced.

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