Equilibrium positions of misfit dislocations in a nanolayer embedded in a matrix

The formation of two misfit edge dislocations in the interfaces of a stressed thin layer embedded in a matrix has been theoretically investigated from an energy variation calculation as a function of the lattice mismatch between the layer and matrix. The equilibrium positions of the dislocations have been determined and the two configurations where the arm orientations of the dipole are normal or inclined to the interfaces have been discussed versus the nanostructure dimensions and lattice mismatch.