Formation of GaAs1−xNx nanofilm on GaAs by low energy N2 implantation

Nitridation of GaAs (1 0 0) by N₂⁺ ions with energy E_i = 2500 eV has been studied by Auger- and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy under experimental conditions, when electrons ejected only by nitrated layer, without contribution of GaAs substrate, were collected. Diagnostics for quantitative chemical analysis of the nitrated layers has been developed using the values of NKVV Auger energies in GaN and GaAsN chemical phases measured in one experiment, with the accuracy being sufficient for separating their contributions into the experimental spectrum. The conducted analysis has shown that nanofilm with the thickness of about 4 nm was fabricated, consisting mainly of dilute alloy GaAs_1−xN_x with high concentration of nitrogen x ∼ 0.09, although the major part of the implanted nitrogen atoms are contained in GaN inclusions. It was assumed that secondary ion cascades generated by implanted ions play an important role in forming nitrogen-rich alloy.