  We investigate the equilibrium properties of strained heteroepitaxial
systems, incorporating the formation and the growth of a wetting film,
dislocation free island formation, and ripening. The derived phase diagram
provides a detailed characterization of the possible growth modes in terms of
the island density, equilibrium island size, and wetting layer thickness.
Comparing our predictions with experimental results we discuss the growth
conditions that can lead to stable islands as well as ripening.
