The effect of nanoscratching direction on the plastic deformation and surface morphology of InP crystals

The microstructure of (001) InP crystals scratched with a sharp diamond tip depends strongly on the scratching direction. The scratch surface is found to conform to the radius of curvature of the tip (∼60 nm) by the formation of atomic crystal steps produced by dislocation glide along (111) planes. 〈110〉 scratches lead to coherent local crystal lattice movement and rotation causing deep dislocation propagation into the crystal and irregular pileups at the sides of the scratch surface. 〈100〉 scratches lead to incoherent lattice movement causing dislocation locking that inhibits their propagation and results in regular pileups