Molecular dynamics simulation of strain relaxation in Cu thin films on Ni(0Â 0Â 1)

Atomistic details of an interfacial structure of Cu thin films on a Ni(0 0 1) substrate are investigated by molecular dynamics simulation using embedded atom method potentials. Results confirm the formation of stripes on the film surface with embedded {1 1 1} wedges, as reported by Müller et al., Phys Rev Lett 1996;76:2358, but suggest a different critical thickness (up to 11 Å) for appearance of the stripes.