Surface energy and the equilibrium shape of hexagonal structured Ge2Sb2Te5 grain

Abstract

Surface energy and the equilibrium shape of hexagonal structured grain in Ge2Sb2Te5 were investigated by a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study. As a result, we have found that the equilibrium shape of hexagonal structured Ge2Sb2Te5 is a lengthened shape with (0001) plane at the major axis, which was experimentally revealed by TEM images. The hexagonal structured Ge2Sb2Te5 grain has low surface energy in {0001}, {1 (1) over bar 03}, and {(1) over bar 106} planes which have no additional broken bonds from the atoms on the steps. Therefore, it is strongly facetted by the plane having low surface energy, thus, becoming an equilibrium shape. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.