In situ monitoring of the complex rolling behaviour of InGaAs/GaAs/Nb hybrid microtubes

A complex rolling behaviour for InGaAs/GaAs/Nb trilayer microtubes is reported. Video microscopy of the rolling process unveils a variety of movements present in this material system including upward rolling, unrolling, wrinkling and downward rolling of a nanomembrane. Using transmission electron microscopy, cross-sections of the layer system are analysed, and a model for the rolling is presented. Through this study, a unique way to determine the direction and magnitude of strain gradients within a layer system is demonstrated.