Abstract
Using in situ scanning-tunneling microscopy, the influence of localized strain fields of misfit dislocations on epitaxial growth is studied. We observe pronounced surface deformations caused by single dislocations and dislocation reactions, in excellent quantitative agreement with calculations based on elasticity theory. Due to the local reduction of strain energy at the surface above the interfacial dislocations, ridgelike structures are formed due to stress-driven surface diffusion during growth. © 1996 The American Physical Society.