Vegard’s law and superstructural phases in Al<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>As/GaAs(100) epitaxial heterostructures

The lattice constants of Al_xGa_1?x As epitaxial alloys with various AlAs (x) contents are determined for AlxGa_1?xAs/GaAs(100) heterostructures grown by MOC-hydride epitaxy using X-ray diffractometry and an X-ray back-reflection method. An ordered AlGaAs₂ (superstructural) phase is found in epitaxial heterostructures with x ≈ 0.50. The lattice constant of this phase is smaller than the lattice constants of an Al_0.50Ga_0.50As alloy and GaAs single-crystal substrate.     

Spin effects in magnetoresistance induced in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-In<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>As/GaAs double quantum well by a parallel magnetic field

Magnetoresistance in n-In_xGa_1?xAs/GaAs (x ≈ 0.18) heterostructures with double quantum wells (DQWs) was studied in the magnetic field parallel to the DQW layer. Specific features of the magnetoresistance, related to the passing of the tunnel gap edges across the Fermi level, are revealed and studied. Agreement between the calculated and experimental positions of the observed features is obtained when the spin splitting of the energy spectrum is taken into account. Earlier, similar features were observed in the magnetoresistance of n-GaAs/Al_xGa_1?xAs DQW heterostructures, but the spin effects did not manifest themselves.     

1 550 nm long-wavelength vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers

A 1 550 nm long-wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) on InP substrate is designed and fabricated. The transfer matrix is used to compute reflectivity spectrum of the designed epitaxial layers. The epitaxial layers mainly consist of 40 pairs of n-AlxGayIn(1-x-y)As/InP, and 6 strain compensated AlxGayIn(1-x-y)As/InP quantum wells on n-InP substrate, respectively. The top distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) mirror system has been formed by fabricating 4.5 pairs of SiO2/Si. The designed cavity mode is around 1 536 nm. The dip of the fabricated cavity mode is around 1 530 nm. The threshold current is 30 mA and the maximum output power is around 270 μW under CW operation at room temperature.     

Resonant Raman scattering and atomic force microscopy of InGaAs/GaAs multilayer nanostructures with quantum dots

The transition from two-dimensional (2D) pseudomorphic growth to the three-dimensional (3D) (nanoisland) growth in In_xGa_1?xAs/GaAs multilayer structures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy was investigated by atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering. The nominal In content x in In_xGa_1?xAs was varied from 0.20 to 0.50. The thicknesses of the deposited In_xGa_1?xAs and GaAs layers were 14 and 70 monolayers, respectively. It is shown that, at these thicknesses, the 2D-3D transition occurs at x ≥ 0.27. It is ascertained that the formation of quantum dots (nanoislands) does not follow the classical Stranski-Krastanov mechanism but is significantly modified by the processes of vertical segregation of In atoms and interdiffusion of Ga atoms. As a result, the In_xGa_1?xAs layer can be modeled by a 2D layer with a low In content (x < 0.20), which undergoes a transition into a thin layer containing nanoislands enriched with In (x > 0.60). For multilayer In_xGa_1?xAs structures, lateral alignment of quantum dots into chains oriented along the \([\overline 1 10]\) direction can be implemented and the homogeneity of the sizes of quantum dots can be improved.     

Thermodynamic stability and redistribution of charges in ternary AlGaN,InGaN, and InAlN alloys

A model of the delta lattice parameter is used to study the thermodynamics of AlGaN, InGaN, and InAlN alloys. The phase diagrams obtained indicate that AlxGa_1?xN is stable in the entire range of x, whereas the miscibility gap corresponds to 0.2 < x < 0.69 for InxGa_1?xN and to 0.16 < x < 0.7 for In_xAl_1?xN at 1000 K. Biaxial stresses lower the critical temperature and narrow the miscibility gap. The charge-density distribution is analyzed using the pseudopotential method to obtain an approximation of 32-atom supercells. The results of the analysis show that the stability of these alloys is controlled by the competition between the destabilizing contribution of strains related to the mismatch between the lattice constants and a stabilizing charge exchange between various chemical bonds. Biaxial stress reduces the charge redistribution caused by strains and thus increases the stability of an alloy.     

Investigation of the physical properties of semiconductor nanostructures using samples with laterally nonuniform layers: 1. Photoluminescence

A new technique for the experimental investigation of semiconductor structures is suggested and implemented. The technique is based on an analysis of correlations in the spectra of samples with laterally nonuniform layers. A molecular-beam-epitaxy-grown sample containing Al_xGa_1?xAs-GaAs and GaAs-In_yGa_1?yAs quantum wells (QWs) and a modulation doped Al_xGa_1?xAs-GaAs heterojunction was studied by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at 77 K. The dependences of the PL spectra on the parameters describing sample nonuniformity were analyzed, which made it possible to characterize the processes of the charge-carrier redistribution in the structure and to reveal a number of specific features in the PL of narrow GaAs QWs. In the entire range of the nonuniformity-related variation in the semiconductor structure parameters, the values of the optical transition energies determined experimentally agree with those calculated theoretically and may serve as a basis for estimating these parameters. It is shown in this study that the suggested approach is highly informative, which stems from the capacity for precision control over the technologically adjustable parameters of the structure within the same sample.     

Dielectric waveguide for middle and far infrared radiation

The possibility of using the normal skin effect in dielectric waveguides for long-wavelength radiation is analyzed. A design of a waveguide integrated with a heterolaser is suggested, in which an undoped layer of GaAs is clad between heavily-doped n- and p-Al _x Ga_{1 ? x} As alloy layers, reflecting radiation because of the normal skin effect. It is shown that an efficient waveguide can be formed using n-Al _x Ga_{1 ? x} As layers with x < 0.45 and the electron concentration N > 5 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3 and p-Al _x Ga_{1 ? x} As layers of any composition with the hole concentration P ≥ 3 × 1019 cm^?3.     

Population inversion between Γ subbands in quantum wells under the conditions of Γ-<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis> intervalley transfer

Monte Carlo simulations of electron transport in Al_xGa_1−x As/GaAs/In_yGa_1−y As double-quantum-well heterostructures in high lateral electric fields are carried out. It is shown that, under the conditions of intervalley Γ-L electron transfer, there exists a population inversion between the first and the second quantum-confinement subbands in the Γ valley. The population inversion appears in the fields exceeding 4 and 5.5 kV/cm at 77 and 300 K, respectively. The gain in a superlattice composed of such quantum wells is estimated to be on the order of 100 cm⁻¹ for radiation with a wavelength of 12.6 μm. __________ Translated from Fizika i Tekhnika Poluprovodnikov, Vol. 37, No. 2, 2003, pp. 224–229. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2003 by Aleshkin, Andronov, Dubinov.     

Study of optical characteristics of structures with strongly strained In<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ga<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>As quantum wells

Results of photoluminescence (PL) studies of heterostructures with strongly strained InxGa_{1 ? x} As quantum wells (QWs) are presented. It is shown that the dependence of the PL intensity on the QW thickness has a maximum whose position depends on the composition of the In _x Ga_{1 ? x} As solid solution. The PL wavelength at the maximum intensity is 1.13 µm at a QW thickness of 60 µm at a QW thickness of 50 Å for x = 0.39 and 0.42, respectively.     

Photoconverters based on gallium arsenide diffused <Emphasis Type="Italic">p-n</Emphasis> junctions formed on a microprofile GaAs surface

The p-n junctions promising for photoconverters have been fabricated using diffusion from the gaseous phase and studied with the analysis of mass transport of the doping impurity (Zn) through the microprofile GaAs surface taken into account. Depending on the conditions of diffusion (the diffusant’s mass and diffusion duration), the formation of both a p-n junction in a microprofile and a planar p-n junction in the GaAs bulk with a heavily doped near-surface p ⁺ type layer is possible. Photoelectric characteristics of device structures with textured p-n junction and a thin wide-gap Al _x Ga_{1 ? x} As window obtained by liquid-phase epitaxy are reported.     

Tuning the energy spectrum of InAs/GaAs quantum dots by varying the thickness and composition of the thin double GaAs/InGaAs cladding layer

It is shown that the ground state transition energy in quantum dots in heterostructures grown by atmospheric-pressure MOCVD can be tuned in the range covering both transparence windows of the optical fiber at wavelengths of 1.3 and 1.55 μm by varying the thickness and composition of the thin GaAs/In_xGa_1−x As double cladding layer. These structures also exhibit a red shift of the ground state transition energy of the In_xGa_1−x As quantum well (QW) as a result of the formation of a hybrid QW In_xGa_1−x As/InAs (wetting layer) between the quantum dots (QDs). The Schottky diodes based on these structures are characterized by an increased reverse current, which is attributed to thermally activated tunneling of electrons from the metal contact to QD levels. __________ Translated from Fizika i Tekhnika Poluprovodnikov, Vol. 38, No. 4, 2004, pp. 448–454. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Karpovich, Zvonkov, Levichev, Baidus, Tikhov, Filatov, Gorshkov, Ermakov.     

High-efficiency dual-junction GaInP/GaAs tandem solar cells obtained by the method of MOCVD

Monolithic dual-junction GaInP/GaAs solar cells grown by the MOCVD method were studied. The conditions of the growth of ternary Ga _x In_1?x P and Al _x In_1?x P alloys lattice-matched to GaAs are optimized. Technology for fabrication of a tunneling diode with a high peak current density of 207 A/cm² on the basis of heavily doped n ⁺⁺-GaAs:Si and p ⁺⁺-AlGaAs:C layers is developed. Cascade GaInP/GaAs solar cells obtained as a result of relevant studies featuring a good efficiency of the solar-energy conversion both for space and terrestrial applications. The maximum value of the GaInP/GaAs solar-cell efficiency was 30.03% (at AM1.5D, 40 suns).     

Determination of the parameters of multilayer nanostructures using two-wave X-ray reflectometry

A method for determining the parameters of multilayer nanostructures by measuring the angular dependence of the X-ray reflectance at two wavelengths has been considered. A calculation scheme taking into account the specificity of the method was suggested, which allows operation with samples of any size and shape. The scheme was applied to C/Ni/C, Si_1?xGe_x, and Al_xGa_1?xAs multilayer structures. It was shown that two-wave reflectometry allows elimination of the influence of instrumental errors; hence, the thickness, density, and composition of both polycrystalline and monocrystalline nanostructure layers reliably determined.     

Transition from the type-II broken-gap heterojunction to the staggered one in the GaInAsSb/InAs(GaSb) system

Conditions for the transition from the staggered heterojunction to the type-II broken-gap one were considered for isolated Ga_1?x In_xAs_ySb_1?y /InAs(GaSb) heterostructures in relation to the quaternary alloy composition. Energy-band diagrams of such heterojunctions were estimated and energy band offsets Δ at the heterointerface were determined. It was experimentally found that the type-II broken-gap heterojunction in the Ga_1?x In_xAs_ySb_1?y /p-InAs structure is observed in the entire range of composition parameters under study, 0.03 < x < 0.23, and becomes staggered in the range 0.3 < x < 1. In p-Ga_1?x In_xAs_ySb_1?y /p-GaSb heterostructures with the indium content 0.85 < x < 0.92 in the solid phase, the p-type conductivity is observed, which is indicative of the staggered heterojunction. At x > 0.92, the contribution of electrons of the semimetal channel at the heterointerface to the total conductivity was observed, as well as the transition from the staggered heterojunction to the type-II broken-gap one.     

Ferromagnetism and anomalous transport in GaAs doped by implantation of Mn and Mg ions

GaAs layers doped by implantation of Mn and Mg ions to increase the hole concentration were synthesized and studied. Measurements using a SQUID magnetometer showed that there is ferromagnetism at temperatures as high as 400 K, which is related to the formation of the MnAs and Mn _y Ga_{1 ? y} clusters as a result of high-temperature annealing, in addition to the formation of the Ga_{1 ? x} Mn _x As alloy. The anomalous Hall effect was observed at temperatures in the range from 4.2 to 200 K. As temperature was increased starting with 4.2 K, the negative magnetoresistance with extremely large magnitude transformed into a giant positive magnetoresistance at T ≈ 35 K.     

Resonance tunneling and nonlinear current in heterobarriers with complex law of carrier dispersion

New effects in resonance electron tunneling in a GaAs/Al_xGa_1?xAs/GaAs single-barrier heterostructure are analyzed with applied electric bias taken into account. Γ-X mixing of electron states at the interfaces is responsible for the Fano resonance in the barrier transmission coefficient. Trajectories of the Fano resonances and their interplay with the Breit-Wigner resonances in an electric field are studied. The current-voltage characteristic of the heterobarrier is calculated. A knowledge of the differential conductance makes it possible to obtain the Fano resonance profile and determine its parameters.     

Experimental studies of the effects of atomic ordering in epitaxial Ga<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>In<Subscript>1 – <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>P alloys on their optical properties

The properties of epitaxial Ga _x In_{1 – x} P alloys with an ordered arrangement of atoms in the crystal lattice are studied by a number of spectroscopic methods. The alloys are grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition onto single-crystal GaAs(100) substrates. It is shown that, under conditions of the coherent growth of an ordered Ga _x In_{1 – x} P alloy on a GaAs(100) substrate, atomic ordering results in radical modifications of the optical properties of the semiconductor compared to the properties of disordered alloys. Among these modifications are a decrease in the band gap and an increase in the luminescence intensity. From the data of dispersion analysis of the infrared dispersion spectra and from ultraviolet spectroscopy data obtained in the transmittance–reflection mode of measurements, the basic optical characteristics, specifically, the dispersion of the refractive index and the high-frequency permittivity of Ga _x In_{1 – x} P alloys with ordering are determined. All of the experimental data are in good agreement with the developed theoretical concepts.     

Behavior of graded-gap detectors of ionizing radiation under irradiation with alpha particles

The effect of irradiation with α particles on the current and optical responses of graded-gap Al_xGa_1?xAs/GaAs detectors of α particles and X-ray photons is studied. It is established that a reduction in both the current and optical response is caused by an increase in the rate of nonradiative recombination as the dose of α-particle radiation increases.     

Role of Si-doped Al<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>As layers in the high-frequency conductivity of GaAs/Al<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>As heterostructures under conditions of the quantum hall effect

The complex high-frequency conductivity of GaAs/Al_0.3Ga_0.7As heterostructures that are δ-doped and modulation-doped with silicon was investigated by acoustic methods under conditions of the integer quantum Hall effect. Both the real (σ₁) and imaginary (σ₂) parts of the complex conductivity σ(ω, H)=σ_i?iσ₂ were determined from the dependences of the absorption and velocity of surface acoustic waves on magnetic field. It is shown that, in the heterostructures with electron density n_s=(1.3–7)×10¹¹ cm^?2 and mobility μ=(1–2)×10⁵ cm²/(V s), the high-frequency conductivity near the centers of the Hall plateau is due to electron hopping between localized states. It is established that, with filling numbers 2 and 4, the conductivity of the Al_0.3Ga_0.7As:Si layer efficiently shunts the high-frequency hopping conductivity of the two-dimensional interface layer. A method of separating the contributions of the interface and Al_0.3Ga_0.7As:Si layers to the hopping conductivity σ(ω, H) is developed. The localization length of electrons in the interface layer is determined on the basis of the nearest neighbor hopping model. It is shown that, near the centers of the Hall plateau, both σ(ω, H) and n_s depend on the cooling rate of a GaAs/Al_0.3Ga_0.7As sample. As a result, the sample “remembers” the cooling conditions. Infrared light and static strain also change both σ(ω, H) and n_s. We attribute this behavior to the presence of two-electron defects (so-called DX^? centers) in the Al_0.3Ga_0.7As:Si layer.     

Thermodynamic stability of bulk and epitaxial CdHgTe,ZnHgTe, and MnHgTe alloys

The thermodynamic stability of Cd_1?xHg_xTe, Mn_xHg_1?xTe, and Zn_xHg_1?xTe alloys is studied. Calculations performed in the context of the δ lattice-parameter model indicate that CdHgTe and ZnHgTe alloys are stable over the entire range of compositions at typical growth temperatures. At the same time, a miscibility gap is found in Mn_xHg_1?xTe at 0.33 < x < 1 at T = 950 K, which is consistent with the known experimental data. It is shown that the biaxial strains observed in Mn_xHg_1?xTe/CdTe and Mn_xHg_1?xTe/Cd_0.96Zn_0.04Te thin epitaxial films lead to a narrowing of the miscibility gap and to insignificant lowering of critical temperatures.