Abstract
A model of the nucleation of three-dimensional nanoislands by the Stranski-Krastanov mechanism on a lattice-mismatched vicinal substrate is proposed. It is shown that the work of island formation at the step edge is a function of two variables: number of particles in the island and its aspect ratio. The activation barrier for the nucleation corresponds to a saddle point of the work of formation. The vicinal character of the surface leads to a change in the work of island formation and significantly decreases the nucleation activation barrier. Data on the nucleation activation barrier and energetically favorable aspect ratio, which are necessary to simulate particular systems, are obtained.
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