New developments in the heteroepitaxial growth of Be-chalcogenides based semiconducting alloys

We have studied the heteroepitaxial growth of Zn(Mg)BeSe alloys on both GaAs and Si substrates. X-ray measurements show that ZnMgBeSe quaternary alloys can be grown with a high structural quality on GaAs(001). Linewidths as low as to 20 arcsec have been obtained from double x-ray diffraction and the etch pit density is in the range of 10⁻³ cm⁻². The growth of ZnBeSe ternary alloys on vicinal Si(001) substrates has been investigated. Optical properties of Zn_0.55Be_0.45Se which is lattice-matched to silicon have been studied by photoluminescence and reflectivity and a fundamental bandgap E₀ of 3.85 eV has been measured. Therefore, this material is a potential candidate for ultraviolet B detection. However, it is important to note that these measurements are not conclusive about the direct nature of alloys bandgaps.     

Growth and electronic properties of ZnO epilayers by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

ZnO thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The crystalline properties of the layers as measured by x-ray diffraction were found to improve with lower growth temperatures, where the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the x-ray rocking curves was shown to be in the range of 100 to 1,100 arcsec. The electronic properties were found to improve for higher growth temperatures, with n-type carrier concentration and electron mobility in the range of 1×10¹⁷ −5×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ and 80–36 cm²/Vs, respectively. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements indicated that growth at higher temperatures provided superior band edge radiative emission, while growth at lower temperatures resulted in significant deep level radiative emission centered at 2.35 eV. Photoconductive decay measurements exhibit a slow decay indicating the presence of hole traps, where Zn vacancies are believed to be the source of both the slow decay and the deep level emission observed in PL spectra.     

Influence of Substrate Orientation on the Growth of HgCdTe by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

An empirical study is reported, wherein HgCdTe was deposited simultaneously on multiple CdZnTe substrates of different orientations by molecular beam epitaxy. These orientations included the following vicinal surfaces: (115)B, (113)B, (112)B, and (552)B. Additionally, growth on (111)B was explored. Growth conditions found to be nearly optimalfor the standard (112)B orientation were selected. Through a series of growth runs, substrate temperature was varied, and the physical properties of the resulting HgCdTe epilayers were measured. These measurements included Nomarski microscopy, infrared transmission, x-ray diffraction, and defect decoration etching. The properties of HgCdTe epilayers as a function of temperature were roughly similar for all vicinal surfaces. Namely, as the temperature increased, the dislocation density decreased. At some critical temperature, the density of void defects increased dramatically. This critical temperature varied with orientation, the (115)B exhibiting the lowest critical temperature and the (112)B and (552)B exhibiting the highest. The (115)B, (113)B, and (112)B orientations exhibited “needlelike” defects on the as-grown HgCdTe surface. The density of these defects decreased with increasing temperature. The (552)B surface exhibited no such defects and growth behavior nearly identical to the (112)B growthsurface.     

Long wavelength infrared, molecular beam epitaxy, HgCdTe-on-Si diode performance

In the past several years, we have made significant progress in the growth of CdTe buffer layers on Si wafers using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) as well as the growth of HgCdTe onto this substrate as an alternative to the growth of HgCdTe on bulk CdZnTe wafers. These developments have focused primarily on mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) HgCdTe and have led to successful demonstrations of high-performance 1024×1024 focal plane arrays (FPAs) using Rockwell Scientific’s double-layer planar heterostructure (DLPH) architecture. We are currently attempting to extend the HgCdTe-on-Si technology to the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) and very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) regimes. This is made difficult because the large lattice-parameter mismatch between Si and CdTe/HgCdTe results in a high density of threading dislocations (typically, >5E6 cm⁻²), and these dislocations act as conductive pathways for tunneling currents that reduce the R_oA and increase the dark current of the diodes. To assess the current state of the LWIR art, we fabricated a set of test diodes from LWIR HgCdTe grown on Si. Silicon wafers with either CdTe or CdSeTe buffer layers were used. Test results at both 78 K and 40 K are presented and discussed in terms of threading dislocation density. Diode characteristics are compared with LWIR HgCdTe grown on bulk CdZnTe.     

Growth of II-IV-V<Subscript>2</Subscript> chalcopyrite nitrides by molecular beam epitaxy

Synthesis of crystalline MgGeN₂ thin solid films is achieved using the technique of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The details of the epitaxial process are described. The microstructures of these films are investigated by both x-ray diffraction (XRD) and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM). Comparison of the lattice structure with powder diffraction standards suggests the lattice structure may be orthorhombic with a high degree of texture. Morphology is evaluated by atomic force microscopy, and a periodic pattern of growth mounds is observed. A formalism for dynamical roughening is applied to quantify the mounded surface features. Mounds are found to have an average spacing of 235 nm, and the surface exhibits a saturation value of 22 nm for the root mean correlated height difference. Diffusion bias is discussed as a mechanism for the formation of surface mounds.     

Optical and electrical characterization of (Ga,Mn)N/InGaN multiquantum well light-emitting diodes

(Ga,Mn)/N/InGaN multiquantum well (MQW) diodes were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The current-voltage characteristics of the diodes show the presence of a parasitic junction between the (Ga,Mn)N and the n-GaN in the top contact layer due to the low conductivity of the former layer. Both the (Ga,Mn)N/InGaN diodes and control samples without Mn doping show no or very low (up to 10% at the lowest temperatures) optical (spin) polarization at zero field or 5 T, respectively. The observed polarization is shown to correspond to the intrinsic optical polarization of the InGaN MQW, due to population distribution between spin sublevels at low temperature, as separately studied by resonant optical excitation with a photon energy lower than the bandgap of both the GaN and (Ga,Mn)N. This indicates efficient losses in the studied structures of any spin polarization generated by optical spin orientation or electrical spin injection. The observed vanishing spin injection efficiency of the spin light-emitting diode (LED) is tentatively attributed to spin losses during the energy relaxation process to the ground state of the excitons giving rise to the light emission.     

RHEED振荡精确测量AlGaAs生长速率研究

采用分子束外延技术,在GaAs衬底上生长GaAs,AlAs和AlGaAs时,实现RHEED图像和RHEED强度振荡的实时监测已被证明是一种有效工具。通过RHEED可讨论GaAs表面结构和生长机制,并可以估算衬底温度,更重要的是能计算出材料的生长速率。RHEED强度振荡周期决定生长速率,每一个周期对应一个单层。实验测量GaAs的生长周期为0.82s,每秒沉积1.22单分子层,AlAs的生长周期为2.35s,每秒沉积0.43单分子层。     

The effect of built-in electric field in GaN/AlGaN quantum wells with high AIN mole fraction

Spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in hexagonal GaN/AlGaN heterostructures give rise to large built-in electric fields. The effect of the builtin electric field in GaN/Al_xGa_1−xN quantum wells was investigated for x=0.2 to 0.8 by photoluminescence studies. The quantum well structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (0001) sapphire substrates. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy performed on the samples revealed abrupt interfaces and uniform layer thicknesses. The low temperature (4 K) photoluminescence peaks were progressively red-shifted due to the quantum confined Stark effect depending on the AlN mole fraction in the barriers and the thickness of the GaN quantum well. Our results verify the existence of very large built-in electric fields of up to 5 MV/cm in GaN/Al_0.8Ga_0.2N quantum wells.     

GaSb(001) Surface Reconstructions Measured at the Growth Front by Surface X-ray Diffraction

Surface x-ray diffraction was employed, in situ, to measure the GaSb(001)-(1 × 5) and (1 × 3) surface phases under technologically relevant growth conditions. We measured a large set of fractional-order in-plane diffraction peaks arising from the superstructure of the surface reconstruction. From the data we calculated two-dimensional (2D) Patterson functions, the peaks of which represent inter-atomic distances weighted by the number of electrons in the individual atoms. For the (1 × 3) phase we obtained good agreement between our data and the β(4 × 3) model proposed in recent experimental and theoretical work. Our measurements on the Sb-rich (1× 5) phase provide evidence that the structure under growth conditions is, in fact, different from that of the models previously suggested on the basis of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We discuss reasons for this discrepancy as well as the identified structural elements for these reconstructions, which include surface relaxations and subsurface rearrangement.     

The Use of Cathodoluminescence during Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth of Gallium Nitride to Determine Substrate Temperature

In-situ cathodoluminescence (CL) measurement during growth of gallium nitride (GaN) by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) was investigated for determining substrate temperature. Cathodoluminescence was easily observed from room temperature up to and beyond typical temperatures used during growth. Determination of the peak energy of the CL spectrum allows unambiguous determination of the substrate temperature. Temperature drift and reproducibility issues during growth of GaN were observed using the in-situ CL measurement.     

Observation of prevalence of quasi-equilibrium in the MBE growth of Hg1−xCdxTe

MBE growth of Hg_1−xCd_xTe has been carried out at 185°C. Parameters of growth have systematically varied. The resulting compositional changes and the electrical characteristics have been explained on the basis of the prevalence of quasi-equilibrium at the growth temperature.     

Initial evaluation of a valved Te source for MBE growth of HgCdTe

Initial results using a valved Te source for molecular beam epitaxial growth of Hg_1−xCd_xTe are described. Unlike the case for a conventional Knudsen effusion cell where the flux is controlled primarily by temperature, flux from the valved source is controlled primarily by a variable orifice capable of good closure so that the cell temperature can be fixed at the operating temperature. Operating characteristics of the source are described, and include being able to nearly instantaneously change the flux magnitude at will. Using the source for HgCdTe growth has resulted in promising composition reproducibility improvement in initial growth runs.     

HgCdTe molecular beam epitaxy material for microcavity light emitters: Application to gas detection in the 2–6 µm range

Most pollution gases, CO, CO₂, NO_x, SO₂, CH₄ …, have fundamental optical absorption in the near infrared range. We report here on microcavity light sources emitting at room temperature between 2 and 6 μm integrated in a gas detection system. HgCdTe has been chosen for this application, among several semiconductor materials. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is very well adapted to grow the suitable HgCdTe heterostructure. The quality of involved HgCdTe layers has to be optimized in order to have a good photoluminescence response at 300 K. For this study, we used the knowledge we acquired in the field of MBE HgCdTe growth for infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs). Especially, we took advantage of the substrate preparation before growing and the flux control. We show subsequently several characterization results concerning our material quality. The compact emitting system is formed by this microcavity structure coupled to a 0.8-μm external pumping source. The Fabry-Perot type microcavity is obtained by using two evaporated YF₃/ZnS dielectric multilayered Bragg mirrors. We developed several devices exhibiting emission wavelengths at 3.3 μm, 4.26 μm, and 4.7 μm for CH₄, CO₂, and CO gas measurements, respectively, and 3.7 μm for the reference beam. We measured less than 200 ppm CH₄ in a 1 bar mixed gas along a 10-cm-long cell.     

VSWIR to VLWIR MBE grown HgCdTe material and detectors for remote sensing applications

The molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth technology is inherently flexible in its ability to change the Hg_1−xCd_xTe material’s bandgap within a growth run and from growth run to growth run. This bandgap engineering flexibility permits tailoring the device architecture to the various specific requirements. Material with active layer x values ranging from ∼0.198 to 0.570 have been grown and processed into detectors. This wide range in x values is perfectly suited for remote sensing applications, specifically the National Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program that requires imaging in a multitude of infrared spectral bands, ranging from the 1.58 to 1.64 μm VSWIR (very short wave infrared) band to the 11.5 to 12.5 μm LWIR (longwave infrared) band and beyond. These diverse spectral bands require high performance detectors, operating at two temperatures; detectors for the VSWIR band operate near room temperature while the SWIR, MWIR (mid wave infra red), LWIR and VLWIR (very long wave infrared) detectors operate near 100K, because of constraints imposed by the cooler for the NPOESS program. This paper uses material parameters to calculate theoretical detector performance for a range of x values. This theoretical detector performance is compared with median measured detector optical and electrical data. Measured detector optical and electrical data, combined with noise model estimates of ROIC performance are used to calculate signal to noise ratio (SNR), for each spectral band. The SNR are compared with respect to the meteorological NPOESS system derived focal plane. The derived system focal plane requirements for NPOESS are met in all the spectral bands.     

Improving material characteristics and reproducibility of MBE HgCdTe

This paper describes our progress to improve the material quality, reproducibility, and flexibility of molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth of HgCdTe. Data, statistics, and yields according to defined screen criteria are presented for n-type layer carrier concentration and mobility, void defect density, and dislocation density for more than 100 layers. Minority carrier lifetime data are also presented. Continued improvements in impurity reductiont have allowed us to achieve, for the first time, reproducible, low n-type carrier concentration in the mid-10¹⁴ cnr⁻³ range with high electron mobility. Data are presented that show that low dislocation density films are obtained for growth on CdZnTe substrates with a wide range of Zn concentration. Results are presented from a nine-growth run first pass success demonstration run to further assess material quality reproducibility and flexibility of wavelength band tuning. These results demonstrate the promising potential of MBE growth for flexible manufacturing of HgCdTe for infrared focal plane arrays.     

GaN基材料及其外延生长技术研究

介绍了GaN基材料的基本特性、三种主要外延生长技术(MOCVD、MBE、HVPE)、衬底材料的选择及缓冲层技术;分析得出目前存在的GaN体单晶技术不完善、外延成本高、衬底缺陷及接触电阻大等主要问题制约了研究的进一步发展;指出今后的研究重点是完善GaN体单晶材料的生长工艺,以利于深入研究GaN的物理特性及有效地解决衬底问题,研究缓冲层的材料、厚度、组分等以提高GaN薄膜质量。     

Characteristics and device applications of erbium doped III-V semiconductors grown by molecular beam epitaxy

We have studied the properties of molecular beam epitaxially (MBE)-grown Erdoped III-V semiconductors for optoelectronic applications. Optically excited Er³⁺ in insulating materials exhibits optical emission chiefly around 1.54 μm, in the range of minimum loss in silica fiber. It was thought, therefore, that an electrically pumped Er-doped semiconductor laser would find great applicability in fiber-optic communication systems. Exhaustive photoluminescence (PL) characterization was conducted on several of As-based III-V semiconductors doped with Er, on bulk as well as quantum-well structures. We did not observe any Errelated PL emission at 1.54 μm for any of the materials/structures studied, a phenomenon which renders impractical the realization of an Er-doped III-V semiconductor laser. Deep level transient spectroscopy studies were performed on GaAs and AlGaAs co-doped with Er and Si to investigate the presence of any Er-related deep levels. The lack of band-edge luminescence in the GaAs:Er films led us to perform carrier-lifetime measurements by electro-optic sampling of photoconductive transients generated in these films. We discovered lifetimes in the picosecond regime, tunable by varying the Er concentration in the films. We also found the films to be highly resistive, the resistivity increasing with increasing Er-concentration. Intensive structural characterization (double-crys-tal x-ray and transmission electron microscopy) performed by us on GaAs:Er epilayers indicates the presence of high-density nanometer-sized ErAs precipitates in MBE-grown GaAs:Er. These metallic nanoprecipitates probably form internal Schottky barriers within the GaAs matrix, which give rise to Shockley-Read-Hall recombination centers, thus accounting for both the high resistivities and the ultrashort carrier lifetimes. Optoelectronic devices fabricated included novel tunable (in terms of speed and responsivity) high-speed metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiodes made with GaAs:Er. Pseudomorphic AlGaAs/ InGaAs modulation doped field effect transistors (MODFETs) (for high-speed MSM-FET monolithically integrated optical photoreceivers) were also fabricated using a GaAs:Er buffer layer which substantially reduced backgating effects in these devices.     

Catalyst-free growth of GaN nanowires

We have grown GaN and AlGaN nanowires on Si (111) substrates with gassource molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). No metal catalysts were used. The nanowires displayed a number of interesting materials properties, including room-temperature luminescence intensity greater than that of free-standing HVPE-grown GaN, relaxed lattice parameters, and the tendency of nanowires dispersed in solvents to align in response to electric fields. The wires were well separated, 50–250 nm in diameter, and grew to lengths ranging from 2 μm to 7 μm. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the wires were free of defects, unlike the surrounding matrix layer.     

InAs-based p-n homojunction diodes: Doping effects and impact of doping on device parameters

InAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) are promising candidates for low power and high frequency (THz) device applications due to their small bandgap, high electron mobility, and high saturation drift velocity. However, doping limits such as the trade-off between desired low intentional n-type concentrations and unintentional doping, and the realization of high p-type concentrations, must still be considered in device design and synthesis. In order to observe the impact of intentional and unintentional n-type doping on diode electrical properties, InAs-based homojunction diodes have been grown on InAs substrates by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy (SSMBE) and were subsequently fabricated and characterized.     

Photoluminescence and raman scattering characterization of silicon-doped In0.52Al0.48As grown on InP (100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy

Growth of In_0.52Al_0.48As epilayers on InP (100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy at different silicon doping levels is carried out. The doped samples show an inverted S-shaped dependence of the PL peak energy variation with the temperature which weakens at high doping levels due to a possible reduction in the donor binding energy. There is a reduction in both the AlAs-like and InAs-like longitudinal-optic (LO) phonon frequencies and a broadening of the LO phonon line shape as the doping level is increased. The PL intensity also showed in increasing degrees at higher doping levels, a temperature dependence which is characteristic of disordered and amorphous materials.