Microstructure of Heteroepitaxial ZnTe Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy on Si(211) Substrates

The interface of ZnTe/Si(211) grown by molecular beam epitaxy was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Several types of defects such as misfit dislocations, stacking faults, agglomerations of vacancies, and precipitates were observed and studied by electron microscopy at the ZnTe/Si interface. The distribution of misfit dislocations at the interface was revealed with the assistance of the fast Fourier transformation filtering technique. A stick-and-ball interface model including misfit dislocation geometry is proposed. The possible origins of the stacking faults, vacancies, and precipitates are discussed.     

Microstructure of Heteroepitaxial ZnTe Grown on GaAs(211)B by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

ZnTe was grown on GaAs(211)B by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Structural properties and strain relaxation at the ZnTe/GaAs(211)B interface were investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Application of digital image processing involving a filtered inverse fast Fourier transformation revealed an array of misfit dislocations at the interface and allowed strain relaxation to be estimated. Only one twin defect was observed in the HRTEM images, and details of this twin defect were investigated by STEM.     

Microstructural Characterization of HgCdSe Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy on ZnTe/Si(112) and GaSb(112) Substrates

Transmission electron microscopy and small-probe microanalysis have been used to investigate the microstructure of HgCdSe thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on ZnTe/Si(112) and GaSb(112) substrates. The quality of the HgCdSe material was dependent on the growth temperature and materials flux, independent of the substrate. Samples grown at 100°C were generally of high quality, while those grown at 140°C had {111}-type stacking defects and increased dislocation densities. Improved preparation of the GaSb buffer layer should be developed for future HgCdSe growth on GaSb(112) substrates.     

Microstructural Characterization of CdTe(211)B/ZnTe/Si(211) Heterostructures Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Transmission electron microscopy and small-probe microanalysis have been used to investigate the microstructure and compositional profiles of CdTe(211)B/ZnTe/Si(211) heterostructures. Thin ZnTe buffer layers and subsequent thick CdTe layers were grown on Si(211) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. Many {111}-type stacking faults were found to be present throughout the entire ZnTe layer, terminating near the point of initiation of CdTe growth. A rotation angle of about 3.5° was observed between lattice planes of the Si substrate and the final CdTe epilayer. Local lattice parameter measurement and elemental profiles indicated that some intermixing of Zn and Cd had taken place. The average widths of the ZnTe layer and the (Cd,Zn)Te transition region were found to be roughly 6.5 nm and 3.5 nm, respectively.     

Surface Morphology and Defect Formation Mechanisms for HgCdTe (211)B Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

The surface morphology and crystallinity of HgCdTe films grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on both CdZnTe and CdTe/Si (211)B substrates were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), as well as scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. Crosshatch patterns and sandy-beach-like morphologies were commonly found on MBE (211) HgCdTe epilayers grown on both CdZnTe and CdTe/Si substrates. The patterns were oriented along the , , and directions, which were associated with the intersection between the (211) growth plane and each of the eight equivalent HgCdTe slip planes. This was caused by strain-driven operation of slip in these systems with relative large Schmid factor, and was accompanied by dislocation formation as well as surface strain relief. Surface crater defects were associated with relatively high growth temperature and/or low Hg flux, whereas microtwins were associated with relatively low growth temperature and/or high Hg flux. AFM and electron microscopy were used to reveal the formation mechanisms of these defects. HgCdTe/HgCdTe superlattices with layer composition differences of less than 2% were grown by MBE on CdZnTe substrates in order to clarify the formation mechanisms of void defects. The micrographs directly revealed the spiral nature of growth, hence demonstrating that the formation of void defects could be associated with the Burton, Cabrera, and Frank (BCF) growth mode. Void defects, including microvoids and craters, were caused by screw defect clusters, which could be triggered by Te precipitates, impurities, dust, other contamination or flakes. Needle defects originated from screw defect clusters linearly aligned along the directions with opposite Burgers vector directions. They were visible in HgCdTe epilayers grown on interfacial superlattices. Hillocks were generated owing to twin growth of void or needle defects on (111) planes due to low growth temperature and the corresponding insufficient Hg movement on the growth surface. Therefore, in addition to nucleation and growth of HgCdTe in the normal two-dimensional layer growth mode, the BCF growth mode played an important role and should be taken into account during investigation of HgCdTe MBE growth mechanisms.     

ZnO Grown on (111) ZnS Substrates by Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy

ZnO thin films have been grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on (111) ZnS substrates. The films grown on Zn-face substrates showed better structural and optical properties compared with those grown on S-face substrates, as demonstrated by x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements. Scanning electron microscopy measurements indicated that ZnO films grown on Zn-face substrates also have smoother surface morphology. It is also found that higher growth temperature yields films with better quality.     

Terahertz Emission from GaAs Films on Si(100) and Si(111) Substrates Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

We report on the terahertz emission from femtosecond-laser-irradiated GaAs layers grown on Si(100) and Si(111) substrates. The results show that the terahertz emission from GaAs on Si is stronger than that of a semi-insulating bulk GaAs crystal. This increase is attributed to the strain field at the GaAs/Si interface. In the GaAs of the Si(100) sample, the stronger terahertz emission is observed compared with GaAs on Si(111). Moreover, the effect of changing the doping type of the Si substrate from n-type to semi-insulating was also studied and it was found that the terahertz emission intensity of GaAs on semi-insulating Si(100) is stronger than that of GaAs on n-type Si(100). Finally, strong terahertz emission from GaAs on semi-insulating Si(100) was observed not only in the reflection geometry but also in the transmission geometry. These results hold promise for new applications of terahertz optoelectronics.     

Growth of GaN Layers on Si(111) Substrates by Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Semiconductors - The studies of the growth kinetics of GaN layers grown on nitridated Si(111) substrates by plasmaassisted molecular beam epitaxy are presented. The nucleation and overgrowth of the...     

Surface Structure of Molecular Beam Epitaxy (211)B HgCdTe

The as-grown molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) (211)B HgCdTe surface has variable surface topography, which is primarily dependent on substrate temperature and substrate/epilayer mismatch. Nano-ripple formation and cross-hatch patterning are the predominant structural features observed. Nano-ripples preferentially form parallel to the \( [\bar {1}11] \) and are from 0 Å to 100 Å in height with a wavelength between 0.1 μm and 0.8 μm. Cross-hatch patterns result from slip dislocations in the three {111} planes intersecting the (211) growth surface. The cross-hatch step height is 4 ± 1 Å (limited data set). This indicates that only a bi-layer slip (Hg/Cd + Te) in the {111} slip plane occurs. For the deposition of MBE (211)B HgCdTe/CdTe/Si, the reorientation of multiple nano-ripples coalesced into “packets” forms cross-hatch patterns. The as-grown MBE (211)B CdTe/Si surface is highly variable but displays nano-ripples and no cross-hatch pattern. Three types of defects were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM): needle, void/hillock, and voids.     

Photoelectric Properties of GaN Layers Grown by Plasma-Assisted Molecular-Beam Epitaxy on Si(111) Substrates and SiC/Si(111) Epitaxial Layers

Semiconductors - The photoelectric properties of GaN/SiC/Si(111) and GaN/Si(111) heterostructures grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy under the same growth conditions on identical...     

Photoluminescence Characterization of Boron-doped Si Layers Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the boron-doped Si layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy using HBO2 as the doping source. The influence of boron doping concentration on the dislocation-related photoluminescence spectra of molecular beam epitaxy Si layers annealed at 900 ℃ was studied with different doping concentrations and growth temperature. The broad photoluminescence band（from 0.75 eV to 0. 90 eV） including D1 and D2 bands was associated with high boron doping concentration in the samples, while D3 and D4 bands might be related to oxygen precipitates.     

Characterization of PbSnSe/CdTe/Si (211) Epilayers Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Narrow-bandgap PbSnSe has received much attention as a promising alternative material for mid- and long-wavelength high performance of infrared detection at relatively high operating temperatures owing to the weak composition dependence of its bandgap, which can intrinsically result in better uniformity. Additionally, it possesses a high dielectric constant that is anticipated to be much more tolerant to defects. In addition, its growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) can be easily accomplished in comparison with HgCdTe and many III–V quantum well and superlattice materials. However, overcoming the high lattice and thermal mismatches between PbSnSe and CdTe/Si substrates and improving the crystalline quality of PbSnSe grown on CdTe/Si substrates are challenges that require further study. Additionally, interdiffusion between CdTe and PbSnSe can take place and lead to nonuniform distributions of elements in PbSnSe. Epitaxial crystal PbSnSe alloy films were grown by MBE and were investigated by scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (STEM/HRTEM). Etch pit density (EPD) measurements were done to determine the density of threading defects in the films. EPD measurements on PbSnSe surfaces gave values in the mid-10⁶ cm⁻² range. The dislocations exposed as etch pits were found to accumulate and form small-angle grain boundaries lined up along the () direction, which is the intersection line between (100) and (211) growth planes.     

Recent Results on Growth of (211)B CdTe on (211)Si with Intermediate Ge and ZnTe Buffer Layers by Metalorganic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy

We report on the investigation of epitaxial cadmium telluride grown by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on (211)Si, with particular emphasis on studying the effect of changing the reactor parameters and thermal annealing conditions on the epilayer quality. The CdTe films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The best CdTe films were observed when the Te/Cd precursor partial pressure ratio was close to 3.1. It was also observed that, though annealing improved the crystal quality, a slight increase in surface roughness was observed. Similar attempts were made to improve the growth conditions of ZnTe intermediate buffer layer, which showed similar trends with changes in precursor flows.     

Characterization of HgCdTe Films Grown on Large-Area CdZnTe Substrates by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Recent advances in growth of Hg_1?x Cd _x Te films on large-area (7 cm × 7.5 cm) CdZnTe (CZT) substrates is presented. Growth of Hg_1?x Cd _x Te with good uniformity on large-area wafers is achieved using a Riber 412 molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) tool designed for growth of Hg_1?x Cd _x Te compounds. The reactor is equipped with conventional CdTe, Te, and Hg sources for achieving uniform exposure of the wafer during growth. The composition of the Hg_1?x Cd _x Te compound is controlled in situ by employing a closed-loop spectral ellipsometry technique to achieve a cutoff wavelength (λ _co) of 14 μm at 78 K. We present data on the thickness and composition uniformity of films grown for large-format focal-plane array applications. The composition and thickness nonuniformity are determined to be <1% over the area of a 7 cm × 7.5 cm wafer. The films are further characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and Hall measurements. Additionally, defect maps show the spatial distribution of defects generated during the epitaxial growth of the Hg_1?x Cd _x Te films. Microdefect densities are in the low 10³ cm^?2 range, and void defects are below 500 cm^?2. Dislocation densities less than 5 × 10⁵ cm^?2 are routinely achieved for Hg_1?x Cd _x Te films grown on CZT substrates. HgCdTe 4k × 4k focal-plane arrays with 15 μm pitch for astronomical wide-area infrared imagers have been produced using the recently developed MBE growth process at Teledyne Imaging Sensors.     

Raman Spectroscopy of GaN Epitaxial Layers Synthesized on Si(111) by Molecular Beam Epitaxy with Nitridation

Semiconductors - Investigation of GaN epitaxial layers on silicon substrates is driven by high potential for fabrication of high efficiency and relatively low-cost electronic devises. Growth...     

Investigation of Composition Uniformity in Thickness of GaInAsP Layers Grown on InP Substrates by Vapor-Phase Epitaxy

Semiconductors - GaInPAs/InP heterostructures grown by metalorganic chemical vapor-phase deposition at a temperature of 600°C and pressure of 0.1 bar are investigated. The thicknesses of the...     

High-Quality (211)B CdTe on (211)Si Substrates Using Metalorganic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy

High-quality (211)B CdTe buffer layers are required during Hg_1−x Cd _x Te heteroepitaxy on Si substrates. In this study, direct metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) of (211)B CdTe on Si, as well as CdTe on Si using intermediate Ge and ZnTe layers, has been achieved. Tertiary butyl arsine was used as a precursor to enable As surfactant action during CdTe MOVPE on Si. The grown CdTe/Si films display a best x-ray diffraction rocking-curve full-width at half-maximum of 64 arc-s and a best Everson etch pit density of 3 × 10⁵ cm⁻². These values are the best reported for MOVPE-grown (211)B CdTe/Si and match state-of-the-art material grown using molecular-beam epitaxy.     

ZnCl2掺杂n型ZnSe的分子束外延生长

利用分子束外延(MBE)技术,以5N的ZnCl2作为掺杂源,在半绝缘GaAs (001)衬底上异质外延生长ZnSe:Cl单晶薄膜.研究发现,掺入ZnCl2后,ZnSe外延层的结晶质量和表面形貌与本征ZnSe外延层相比变差,双晶X射线摇摆曲线(DCXRC)的ZnSe (004)衍射峰半峰宽(FWHM)从432 arcsec增大到529 arcsec,表面均方根粗糙度(RMS)从3.00 nm增大到3.70nm.当ZnCl2掺杂源炉的温度为170℃时,ZnSe样品的载流子浓度达到1.238×1019 cm-3,可以满足结型器件制作和隧道结材料设计的要求.     

Postgrowth Annealing of CdTe Layers Grown on Si Substrates by Metalorganic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy

Annealing conditions of CdTe layers grown on Si substrates by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy were studied. Typically, 3-μm-thick n-type (211) CdTe layers were annealed for 60 s in flowing hydrogen at atmospheric pressure by covering their surfaces with bulk CdTe wafers. At annealing temperatures above 700°C, improvement of crystal quality was confirmed from full-width at half-maximum values of double-crystal rocking-curve measurements and x-ray diffraction measurements. Photoluminescence measurements revealed no deterioration of electrical properties in the annealed n-CdTe layers. Furthermore, annealing at 900°C improved the performance of radiation detectors with structure of p-like CdTe/n-CdTe/n ⁺-Si substrate.