Effect of Ⅲ/Ⅴ Ratio of HT-AIN Buffer Layer on Polarity Selection and Electrical Quality of GaN Films Grown by Radio Frequency Molecular Beam Epitaxy

We investigate the effect of A/N ratio of the high temperature （HT） AIN buffer layer on polarity selection and electrical quality of GaN films grown by radio frequency molecular beam epitaxy. The results show that low Al/N ratio results in N-polarity GaN films and intermediate Al/N ratio leads to mixed-polarity GaN films with poor electrical quality. GaN films tend to grow with Ga polarity on Al-rich AIN buffer layers. GaN films with different polarities are confirmed by in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction during the growth process. Wet chemical etching, together with atomic force microscopy, also proves the polarity assignments. The optimum value for room-temperature Hall mobility of the Ga-polarity GaN film is 703cm^2/V.s, which is superior to the N-polarity and mixed-polarity GaN films.     

Polarity control in MBE growth of III-nitrides,and its device application

Until recently, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has been behind metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) as a growth technique for III-nitride thin films, due to the lack of nitrogen source powerful enough for the growth in vacuum and the understanding of growth mechanism. We have clarified that the quality of GaN epilayers on sapphire substrates grown by N2 plasma-assisted MBE can be much improved by realizing Ga-polarity growth mode, which enables us to fabricate HFETs using the MBE-grown AIGaN/GaN 2DEG structures. The Ga-polarity growth mode was found to be achieved by Al high temperature buffer process, In flux exposure etc., and directly confirmed by coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS) technique. The relation between the surface reconstruction structure of GaN epilayers and the lattice polarity of the epilayers is also shown.     

Fabrication of freestanding GaN microstructures using AlN sacrificial layers

The fabrication of freestanding GaN microstructures using AlN sacrificial layers (SLs) is reported. GaN layers were grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE) on polycrystalline AlN sacrificial layers that have been deposited at 600 °C. Isotropic wet chemical etching of the AlN film released GaN microbridges and – cantilevers. The stress gradient and the compressive stress in the GaN‐film was extracted by analysis of the relation between beam geometry and displacement. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A Comparison of GaN Epilayers with Multiple Buffer Layers and with a Single Buffer Layer Grown on Si（111） Studied by HRXRD and RBS/Channeling

Two hexagonal GaN epilayers （samples A and B） with multiple buffer layers and single buffer layer are grown on Si （111） by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy （MOVPE）. From the results of Rutherford backscattering （RBS）/channeling and high resolution x-ray diffraction （HRXRD）, we obtain the lattice constant （a and c） of two GaN epilayers （aA = 0.3190 nm, cA = 0.5184 nm and aB = 0.3192 nm, CB = 0.5179 nm）, the crystal quality of two GaN epilayers （ ХminA=4.87%, ХminB =7.35% along 〈1-↑213〉 axis） and the tetragonal distortion eT of the two samples along depth （sample A is nearly fully relaxed, sample B is not relaxed enough）. Comparing the results with the two samples, it is indicated that sample A with multiple buffer layers have better crystal quality than sample B with a single buffer layer, and it is a good way to grow GaN epilayer on Si （111） substrates using multiple buffer layers to improve crystal quality and to reduce lattice mismatch.     

Characterization of GaN/AlGaN epitaxial layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition for high electron mobility transistor applications

GaN and AlGaN epitaxial layers are grown by a metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) system. The crystalline quality of these epitaxially grown layers is studied by different characterization techniques. PL measurements indicate band edge emission peak at 363.8 nm and 312 nm for GaN and AlGaN layers respectively. High resolution XRD (HRXRD) peaks show FWHM of 272 and 296 arcsec for the (0 0 0 2) plane of GaN and GaN in GaN/AlGaN respectively. For GaN buffer layer, the Hall mobility is 346 cm²/V-s and carrier concentration is 4.5 × 10¹⁶/cm³. AFM studies on GaN buffer layer show a dislocation density of 2 × 10⁸/cm² by wet etching in hot phosphoric acid. The refractive indices of GaN buffer layer on sapphire at 633 nm are 2.3544 and 2.1515 for TE and TM modes respectively.     

Si基GaN的微结构表征

采用快速辐射加热/低压-金属有机化学气相淀积(RTP/LP-MOCVD)方法分别以AlN和阳极氧化铝为缓冲层材料在Si衬底上外延生长GaN薄膜,通过X射线衍射谱(XRD)、光荧光谱(PL)、拉曼散射谱(RamanScattering)等手段对它们的微结构进行了表征和分析,结果指出AlN是优良的缓冲层材料。     

Characteristics of GaN epilayer grown on Al2O3 with AlN buffer layer by molecular beam epitaxy

Double crystal rocking curve (DCRC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) measurements on GaN epilayers grown with various thicknesses (3.4, 8.5, 17, 34, and 51 nm) of the AlN buffer layer were carried out to investigate the surface, the structural, and the optical properties of the GaN epilayers. The results of the DCRC, AFM, SEM, and PL measurements showed that the GaN epilayer grown on a 3.4 nm AlN buffer layer had the best quality. These results indicate that GaN active layers grown on 3.4 nm AlN buffer layers hold promise for potential applications in optoelectronic devices.     

Effect of Reactor Pressure on Qualities of GaN Layers Grown by Hydride Vapour Phase Epitaxy

The influence of reactor pressure on GaN layers grown by hydride vapour phase epitaxy （HVPE） is investigated. By decreasing the reactor pressure from0. 7 to 0.5 mm, the GaN layer growth mode changes from the island-like one to the step flow. The improvements in structural and optical properties and surface morphology of GaN layers are observed in the step flow growth mode. The results clearly indicate that the reactor pressure, similarly to the growth temperature, is One of the important parameters to influence the qualities of GaN epilayers grown by HVPE, due to the change of growth mode.     

The effect of low temperature AlN interlayers on the growth of GaN epilayer on Si (111) by MOCVD

Low temperature (LT) AlN interlayers were used to effectively reduce the tension stress and micro-cracks on the surface of the GaN epilayer grown on Si (111) substrate. Optical Microscopy (OM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Surface Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were employed to characterize these samples grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). In addition, wet etching method was used to evaluate the defect of the GaN epilayer. The results demonstrate that the morphology and crystalline properties of the GaN epilayer strongly depend on the thickness, interlayer number and growth temperature of the LT AlN interlayer. With the optimized LT AlN interlayer structures, high quality GaN epilayers with a low crack density can be obtained.     

初始化生长条件对a-GaN中应变的影响

利用高分辨X射线衍射(HRXRD)与拉曼散射光谱(Raman scattering spectra)研究了氮化处理与低温AlN缓冲层对低压金属有机化学气相沉积(LP-MOCVD)在r面蓝宝石衬底上外延的a面GaN薄膜中的残余应变的影响。实验结果表明:与氮化处理后生长的a-GaN相比,使用低温AlN缓冲层后生长的a-GaN具有较小的摇摆曲线的半高宽和较低的残余应变,而且其结构各向异性和残余应变各向异性也均有一定程度的降低。因此,与氮化处理相比,低温AlN缓冲层更有利于a-GaN的生长。     

SiC/AlN上外延GaN薄膜的黄带发光与晶体缺陷的关系

利用室温光致发光(PL)技术研究了在6HSiC(0001)上用金属有机物化学汽相沉积(MOCVD)外延生长的GaN薄膜“黄带”发光(YL)特点,与扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)技术得到的GaN薄膜的表面形貌质量和内部结晶质量的结果相对照,表明“YL”发光强度与GaN薄膜的扩展缺陷多少直接相对应通过二次离子质谱(SIMS)技术获取的GaN薄膜中Ga元素深度分布揭示出镓空位(V_Ga)最可能是“YL”发光的微观来源分析认为,虽然宏观扩展缺陷(丝状缺陷、螺形位错等)和微观点缺陷V_Ga及其与杂质的络合物(complexes)都表现出与“YL”发射密切相关,但V_Ga及其与杂质的络合物更可能是“YL”发射的根本微观来源室温下获得的样品“YL”发射强度和光谱精细结构可用于分析GaN薄膜缺陷和晶体质量.     

Comparison study of GaN films grown on porous and planar GaN templates

The GaN thick films have been grown on porous GaN template and planar metal-organic chemical vapor deposition(MOCVD)-GaN template by halide vapor phase epitaxy(HVPE). The analysis results indicated that the GaN films grown on porous and planar GaN templates under the same growth conditions have similar structural, optical, and electrical properties. But the porous GaN templates could significantly reduce the stress in the HVPE-GaN epilayer and enhance the photoluminescence(PL) intensity. The voids in the porous template were critical for the strain relaxation in the GaN films and the increase of the PL intensity. Thus, the porous GaN converted from β-Ga2O3 film as a novel promising template is suitable for the growth of stress-free GaN films.     

Si(111)衬底上生长有多缓冲层的六方GaN晶格常数计算和应变分析

利用卢瑟福背散射/沟道技术和高分辨率X射线衍射技术对在Si(111)衬底上利用金属有机化合物气相外延技术(MOVPE)生长有多缓冲层的六方GaN外延膜进行结晶品质计算、晶格常数计算和应变分析. 实验结果表明：GaN外延膜的结晶品质为χ_min=1.54%，已达到完美晶体的结晶品质(χ_min=1%—2%)；GaN外延膜的水平方向和垂直方向晶格常数分别为：a_epi＝0.31903nm，c_epi=0.51837nm，基本达到G 关键词： GaN 高分辨X射线衍射 卢瑟福背散射/沟道 弹性应变     

Raman spectroscopy of optical phonons as a probe of GaN epitaxial layer structural quality

We report on Raman scattering measurements of all Raman-active phonons in wurtzite and zinc blende structure GaN epilayers grown on GaAs (001), GaAs (111)A, and GaAs (111)B oriented substrates by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Raman spectra are taken from these epilayers at room temperature and 77 K in backscattering geometry. The measured values of the phonon frequencies are in agreement with other studies and with lattice dynamic calculations of phonon modes in GaN zinc blende and wurtzite structures. We show that crystal quality is much better in samples grown on GaAs (111) substrates than in samples grown on GaAs (001) substrates. The observation of disorder-activated modes gives information about sample quality. Comparison of the spectra from different thickness epilayers shows that the GaN is more highly disordered close to the substrate, particularly for the (001) substrates. Received 16 July 1999     

Effect of double AlN buffer layer on the qualities of GaN films grown by radio-frequency molecular beam epitaxy

This paper reports that the GaN thin films with Ga-polarity and high quality were grown by radio-frequency molecular beam epitaxy on sapphire （0001） substrate with a double A1N buffer layer. The buffer layer consists of a high-temperature （HT） A1N layer and a low-temperature （LT） A1N layer grown at 800℃ and 600℃, respectively. It is demonstrated that the HT-A1N layer can result in the growth of GaN epilayer in Ga-polarity and the LT-A1N layer is helpful for the improvement of the epilayer quality. It is observed that the carrier mobility of the GaN epilayer increases from 458 to 858cm^2/V.s at room temperature when the thickness of LT-A1N layer varies from 0 to 20nm. The full width at half maximum of x-ray rocking curves also demonstrates a substantial improvement in the quality of GaN epilavers by the utilization of LT-A1N layer.     

Heteroepitaxial GaN films on silicon substrates with porous buffer layers

New complex buffer layers based on a porous material have been developed for epitaxial growth of GaN films on Si substrates. The characteristics of gallium nitride heteroepitaxial layers grown on silicon substrates with new buffer layers by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy are investigated. It is shown that the porous buffer layers improve the electric homogeneity and increase the photoluminescence intensity of epitaxial GaN films on Si substrates to the values comparable with those for reference GaN films on Al₂O₃ substrates. It is found that a fianite layer in a complex buffer is a barrier for silicon diffusion from the substrate into a GaN film.     

Carrier recombination under one-photon and two-photon excitation in GaN epilayers

Luminescence properties of 100-mum thick GaN epilayers grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) over three different substrates: high-pressure grown n-type bulk GaN (HP-n-GaN), high-pressure bulk GaN doped with magnesium (HP-GaN:Mg), and free-standing HVPE lifted-off from sapphire (FS-HVPE-GaN), were compared by means of one-photon and two-photon excitations. The contribution of carrier capture to nonradiative traps was estimated by the analysis of luminescence transients with carrier diffusion taken into account. The estimated values of carrier lifetime of about 3ns and diffusion coefficient of 1cm(2)/s indicate the highest quality of GaN epilayers on FS-HVPE-GaN substrates.     

国产SiC衬底上利用AIN缓冲层生长高质量GaN外延薄膜

采用高温AlN作为缓冲层在国产SiC衬底上利用金属有机物化学气相外延技术生长GaN外延薄膜.通过优化AlN缓冲层的生长参数得到了高质量的GaN外延薄膜,其对称(0002)面和非对称(1012)面X射线衍射摇摆曲线的半峰宽分别达到130 arcsec和252 arcsec,这是目前报道的在国产SiC衬底上生长GaN最好的...     

Band transitions in wurtzite GaN and InN determined by valence electron energy loss spectroscopy

Valence electron energy loss spectroscopy (VEELS) was applied to determine band transitions in wurtzite InN, deposited by molecular beam epitaxy on (0001) sapphire substrates or GaN buffer layers. The GaN buffer layer was used as VEELS reference. At room temperature a band transition for wurtzite InN was found at (1.7±0.2 eV) and for wurtzite GaN at (3.3±0.2 eV) that are ascribed to the fundamental bandgap. Additional band transitions could be identified at higher and lower energy losses. The latter may be related to transitions involving defect bands. In InN, neither oxygen related crystal phases nor indium metal clusters were observed in the areas of the epilayers investigated by VEELS. Consequently, the obtained results mainly describe the properties of the InN host crystal.     

Growth of GaN epitaxial layers on sapphire with preheated ammonia and their structural and optoelectronic properties

GaN epitaxial layers were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition with preheated ammonia as a group V source. The growth rates of GaN epilayers were little affected when ammonia preheater temperature was varied from room temperature to 1000 °C, however, their electrical properties as well as source materials utilization efficiency was significantly improved by using preheated ammonia. GaN epilayers grown with preheated ammonia showed excellent structural and optical properties.