Formation and atomic structure of GaSb nanostructures in GaAs studied by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy

GaSb nanostructures in GaAs, grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, were studied with cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy. Three different samples were examined, containing a thin quantum well, a quantum well near the critical thickness for dot formation, and finally self-organized quantum dots with base lengths of 5–8 nm and heights of about 2 nm. The dots are intermixed with a GaSb content between 60% and 100%. Also small 3D and 2D islands were observed, possibly representing quantum dots in an early growth stage and quantum dot precursors. All GaSb layers exhibit gaps, which are indications of an island-like growth mode during epitaxy.     

多层GaSb(QDs)/GaAs生长中量子点的聚集及发光特性

通过对多层GaSb量子点的生长研究,发现随着生长层数的增加,量子点尺寸逐渐变大,密度没有明显变化,并且量子点出现了聚集现象;当层数增加到一定数量、量子点聚集到一定大小时,聚集的量子点处会出现空洞。这些现象表明,各层量子点在生长过程中存在关联效应,并且GaAs层不能很好地覆盖在聚集的量子点之上,在继续生长其它量子点层时,聚集的量子点处在高温下出现GaSb的蒸发,从而出现空洞。PL谱出现了很宽的量子点发光峰,这很可能是由于多层量子点在生长时大小分布较宽而导致的结果。     

Magneto-optical single dot spectroscopy of GaSb/GaAs type II quantum dots

We have investigated magneto-optical properties of GaSb/GaAs self-assemble type II quantum dots by single dot spectroscopy in magnetic field. We have observed clear Zeeman splitting and diamagnetic shift of GaSb/GaAs quantum dots. The diamagnetic coefficient ranges from 5 to 30 μeV/T². The large coefficient and their large distribution are attributed to the size inhomogeneity and electron localization outside the dot. The g-factor of GaSb/GaAs quantum dots is slightly larger than that of similar type I InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots. In addition, we find almost linear relationship between the diamagnetic coefficient and the g-factor. The linear increase of g-factor with diamagnetic coefficient is due to an increase of spin-orbit interaction with dot size.     

First-principles study of interface relaxation effect on interface and electronic structures of InAs/GaSb superlattices with different interface types

We have implemented first-principles relativistic pseudopotential calculations within general gradient approximation to investigate the structural and electronic properties of quaternary InAs/GaSb superlattices with an InSb or GaAs type of interface. Because of the complexity and low symmetry of the quaternary interfaces, the interface energy and strain in the InAs/GaSb superlattice system have been calculated to determine the equilibrium interface structural parameters. The band structures of InAs/GaSb superlattices with InSb and GaAs interfaces have been calculated with respect to the lattice constant and atomic position relaxations of the superlattice interfaces. The calculation of the relativistic Hartree–Fock pseudopotential in local density approximation has also been performed to verify the calculated band structure results that have been predicted in other empirical theories. The calculated band structures of InAs/GaSb superlattices with different types of interface (InSb or GaAs) have been systematically compared. We find that the virtual–crystal approximation fails to properly describe the quaternary InAs/GaSb superlattice system, and the chemical bonding and ionicity of anion atoms are essential in determining the interface and electronic structures of InAs/GaSb superlattice system.     

Electron–hole two-stream instability in a quantum semiconductor plasma with exchange-correlation effects

The electron–hole two-stream instability in a quantum semiconductor plasma has been studied including electrons and holes quantum recoil effects, exchange-correlation potentials, and degenerate pressures of the plasma species. Typical values of GaAs and GaSb semiconductors are used to estimate the growth rate of the two-stream instability. The effects of electron– and hole–phonon collision, quantum recoil effects, the streaming velocities, and the corresponding threshold on the growth rate are investigated numerically. Considering the phonon susceptibility allows the acoustic mode to exist and the collisional instability arises in combination with drift of the holes.     

Propagation and collision of soliton rings in quantum semiconductor plasmas

The intrinsic localization of electrostatic wave energies in quantum semiconductor plasmas can be described by solitary pulses. The collision properties of these pulses are investigated. In the present study, the fundamental model includes the quantum term, degenerate pressure of the plasma species, and the electron/hole exchange–correlation effects. In cylindrical geometry, using the extended Poincaré–Lighthill–Kuo (PLK) method, the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equations and the analytical phase shifts after the collision of two soliton rings are derived. Typical values for GaSb and GaN semiconductors are used to estimate the basic features of soliton rings. It is found that the pulses of GaSb semiconductor carry more energies than the pulses of GaN semiconductor. In addition, the degenerate pressure terms of electrons and holes have strong impact on the phase shift. The present theory may be useful to analyze the collision of localized coherent electrostatic waves in quantum semiconductor plasmas.     

温度对GaSb/GaAs量子点尺寸分布的影响

采用低压金属有机物化学气相沉积 (LP-MOCVD) 法制备GaSb/GaAs量子点。通过对不同生长温度的样品进行分析发现温度的变化对GaSb/GaAs量子点的相位角无明显影响,量子点的形状是透镜型。由于量子点特殊的应力分布,可实现量子点的"自限制"生长。量子点的化学势不连续性以及Ostwald熟化机制的影响使得量子点尺寸分布在一定范围内不连续,会出现两种尺寸模式的量子点生长。Sb原子的表面迁移率对GaSb/GaAs量子点生长有较大的影响。升高温度可有效改善量子点的分立性,在升温过程中量子点体现出其熟化过程,高温时表面原子的解析附作用对量子点尺寸和密度的影响较大。     

Energy-selective charging of type-II GaSb/GaAs quantum dots

The hole confinement in type-II self-organized GaSb/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) was investigated by combining optical excitation and time-resolved capacitance spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate energy-selective charging even for type-II QDs. With increasing excitation energy the apparent hole activation energy decreases, which is attributed to light absorption in sub-ensembles of QDs with decreasing hole localization. The large localization energy of about 450 meV and the possibility of optical-multiplexing makes type-II GaSb/GaAs QDs a potential material system for QD memory concepts.     

GaSb/AlSb/GaAs应变层结构的分子束外延生长

本文以反射式高能电子衍射(RHEED)和其强度振荡为监测手段,在半绝缘GaAs衬底上成功地生长GaSb/AlSb/GaAs应变层结构,RHEED图样表明,GaSb正常生长时为Sb稳定的C(2×6)结构,AlSb为稳定的(1×3)结构,作者观察并记录GaSb,AlSb生长时的RHEED强度振荡,并利用它成功地生长10个周期的GaSb/AlSb超晶格,透射电子显微镜照片显示界面平整、清晰,采用较厚的AlSb过渡层及适当的生长条件,可在半绝缘GaAs衬底上生长出质量好的GaSb外延层,其X射线双晶衍射半峰宽小于 关键词：     

Sb/As intermixing in self-assembled GaSb/GaAs type II quantum dot systems and control of their photoluminescence spectra

The intermixing of Sb and As atoms induced by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) was investigated for type II GaSb/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots (QD) formed by molecular beam epitaxy growth. Just as in InAs/GaAs QD systems, the intermixing induces a remarkable blueshift of the photoluminescence (PL) peak of QDs and reduces the inhomogeneous broadening of PL peaks for both QD ensemble and wetting layer (WL) as consequences of the weakening of quantum confinement. Contrary to InAs/GaAs QDs systems, however, the intermixing has led to a pronounced exponential increase in PL intensity for GaSb QDs with annealing temperature up to 875 °C. By analyzing the temperature dependence of PL for QDs annealed at 700, 750 and 800 °C, activation energies of PL quenching from QDs at high temperatures are 176.4, 146 and 73.9 meV. The decrease of QD activation energy with annealing temperatures indicates the reduction of hole localization energy in type II QDs due to the Sb/As intermixing. The activation energy for the WL PL was found to drastically decrease when annealed at 800 °C where the QD PL intensity surpassed WL.     

Exciton luminescence in In0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs quantum well heterostructures

Emission maxima related to the recombination of excitons (e1–hh1, e1–lh1, e2–hh2, and e2–lh2) were observed in photoluminescence spectra of GaAs/In_0.3Ga_0.7As/GaAs quantum wells. The emission bands due to e1–hh1 and e1–lh1 transitions were found to have a doublet character explained by the exchange interaction of excitons in quantum wells. Emission bands due to radiative E^b–hh1, E^b–lh1 transitions in the buffer GaAs layer are observed in the region of 1.5 eV.     

Strain distributions and electronic structure of three-dimensional InAs/GaAs quantum rings

This paper presents a finite element calculation for the electronic structure and strain distribution of self-organized InAs/GaAs quantum rings. The strain distribution calculations are based on the continuum elastic theory. An ideal three-dimensional circular quantum ring model is adopted in this work. The electron and heavy-hole energy levels of the InAs/GaAs quantum rings are calculated by solving the three-dimensional effective mass Schr?dinger equation including the deformation potential and piezoelectric potential up to the second order induced by the strain. The calculated results show the importance of strain and piezoelectric effects, and these effects should be taken into consideration in analysis of the optoelectronic characteristics of strain quantum rings.     

Study of MOCVD growth of InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb/GaSb heterostructures using two different aluminium precursors TMAl and DMEAAl

The antimonide laser heterostructures growth technology using MBE epitaxy is currently well-developed, while MOVPE method is still being improved. It is known that the principal problem for MOVPE is the oxygen and carbon contamination of aluminium containing waveguides and claddings. The solution would be to apply a proper aluminium precursor. In this study we present the results of metal-organic epitaxy of In- and Al-containing layers and quantum well structures composing antimonide lasers devices. Special emphasis was put on the aluminium precursor and its relation to AlGaSb and AlGaAsSb materials properties. The crystalline quality of the layers grown with two different Al precursors was compared, very good structural quality films were obtained. The results suggested a substantial influence of precursors pre-reactions on the epitaxial process. The oxygen contamination was measured by SIMS, which confirmed its dependence on the precursor choice. We also optimised the GaSb substrate thermal treatment to deposit high quality GaSb homoepitaxial layers. Quaternary InGaAsSb layers were obtained even within the predicted miscibility gap, when arsenic content reached high above 10% values. InGa(As)Sb/AlGa(As)Sb quantum wells were grown and their optical properties were characterised by photoluminescence and photoreflectance spectroscopy. Type-I quantum wells showed a fundamental optical transition in the 1.9–2.1 μm range at room temperature. The epitaxial technology of the structures was subjected to an optimisation procedure. The investigated layers and heterostructures can be considered for application in laser devices.     

MBE growth and magnetotransport studies of ferromagnetic Ga1−xMnxSb semiconductor layers on hybrid ZnTe/GaAs substrates

Narrow-gap Ga_1−xMn_xSb layers grown on hybrid ZnTe/GaAs substrates are observed to be ferromagnetic by SQUID magnetization and anomalous Hall effect measurements. The layers display an easy axis of magnetization perpendicular to the layer plane, in contrast to in-plane easy axis orientation observed in Ga_1−xMn_xSb grown on GaSb substrates. Resistivity measured in the Ga_1−xMn_xSb/ZnTe/GaAs system shows a well-defined maximum at temperatures close to the ferromagnetic/paramagnetic transition. We determined the spontaneous resistivity anisotropy in Ga_0.98Mn_0.02Sb grown on hybrid ZnTe/GaAs substrates and compared it to that observed on Ga_0.98Mn_0.02Sb grown on a GaSb buffer. These results should provide a valuable test for future theories of transport in ferromagnetic semiconductors.     

Impact of ZnTe buffer on the electrical properties of n-type GaSb:Te films

We have investigated on the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of Te-doped GaSb films on ZnTe buffer. Te-doped GaSb (GaSb:Te) films with and without ZnTe buffer were grown on (0 0 1) GaAs substrates. GaSb:Te/ZnTe/GaAs film revealed higher mobility (=631 cm²/V s) in comparison to GaSb:Te/GaAs film (=249 cm²/V s). To explain the higher mobility of GaSb:Te on ZnTe buffer, dislocation density and temperature dependence of Hall measurement results were analyzed. Temperature dependence of Hall measurement shows strong influence of the dislocation scattering, which indicates that dislocation reduction by the ZnTe buffer enhances the carrier mobility of GaSb films.     

Enhancement of the Coulomb correlations in type-II quantum dots

We report on calculation of binding energies of excitons as well as positively and negatively charged excitons and biexcitons in type-II quantum dots. The shape of the GaSb/GaAs quantum dot is assumed lens-like and the energies are calculated within the Hartree–Fock approximation. A large enhancement of the binding energies has been estimated in comparison with the type-I quantum dots (InAs/GaAs) which is in good agreement with the recent experimental findings.     

Graphene-based modulation-doped superlattice structures

The electronic transport properties of graphene-based superlattice structures are investigated. A graphene-based modulation-doped superlattice structure geometry is proposed consisting of periodically arranged alternate layers: InAs/graphene/GaAs/graphene/GaSb. The undoped graphene/GaAs/graphene structure displays a relatively high conductance and enhanced mobilities at increased temperatures unlike the modulation-doped superlattice structure, which is more steady and less sensitive to temperature and the robust electrical tunable control on the screening length scale. The thermionic current density exhibits enhanced behavior due to the presence of metallic (graphene) monolayers in the superlattice structure. The proposed superlattice structure might be of great use for new types of wide-band energy gap quantum devices.     

Morphological instability in InAs/GaSb superlattices due to interfacial bonds

Synchrotron x-ray diffraction is used to compare the misfit strain and composition in a self-organized nanowire array in an InAs/GaSb superlattice with InSb interfacial bonds to a planar InAs/GaSb superlattice with GaAs interfacial bonds. It is found that the morphological instability that occurs in the nanowire array results from the large misfit strain that the InSb interfacial bonds have in the nanowire array. Based on this result, we propose that tailoring the type of interfacial bonds during the epitaxial growth of III-V semiconductor films provides a novel approach for producing the technologically important morphological instability in anomalously thin layers.     

Atomically smooth interfaces of type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice on metamorphic GaSb buffer grown in 2D mode on GaAs substrate using MBE

In the paper, the comparative analysis of type-II InAs/GaSb SLs deposited on three types of GaSb buffers: homoepitaxial, metamorphic and one grown using the interfacial misfit (IMF) array technique has been presented. The buffer layers as well as superlattices were grown under nominally identical technological conditions. HRXRD investigations proved better crystal quality of the metamorphic material than the IMF-GaSb. FWHM_RC were equal to 156 arcsec and 196 arcsec, respectively. The surface roughness of about 1?ML and 4?MLs was obtained using the atomic force microscope for 4.0?μm–metamorphic GaSb and 1.5?μm-IMF-GaSb layers, respectively. The etch pits density for both buffers was similar, 1–2?×?10⁷?cm^?2. Superlattice with 500 periods deposited on the homoepitaxial buffer was used as a reference of the best crystal quality. HRTEM images revealed straight InAs/GaSb interfaces with 1?ML thicknesses in this sample. The interfaces in SL deposited on IMF-GaSb buffer were undulated and smeared over 3?MLs. The use of the metamorphic buffer resulted in 1–2?ML straight InAs/GaSb interfaces. The main reason for this is the roughness of IMF-GaSb buffer with mounds on the surface. Based on the obtained results we have demonstrated the advantage of metamorphic approach over IMF growth mode in GaSb/GaAs material system. A two times thicker buffer could be the price worth paying for high quality structures, even when working in the production mode.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals as a novel anode material for lithium ion battery

One-dimensional ordered quantum-ring chains are fabricated on a quantum-dot superlattice template by molecular beam epitaxy. The quantum-dot superlattice template is prepared by stacking multiple quantum-dot layers and quantum-ring chains are formed by partially capping quantum dots. Partially capping InAs quantum dots with a thin layer of GaAs introduces a morphological change from quantum dots to quantum rings. The lateral ordering is introduced by engineering the strain field of a multi-layer InGaAs quantum-dot superlattice.