Stranski-Krastanow growth of copper overlayers on the Ni(110) surface

► Cu/Ni(110) showed Stranski-Krastanow growth with a critical thickness of 6 ML. ► (110)-oriented top surface of 3-D islands had stripes along the [001] direction. ► Bumps caused by threading dislocation also run in the [110] direction. ► Mosaic structure due to Cu/Ni alloying was seen between 3-D islands.