Effect of In_x Ga_(1-x )N “continuously graded” buffer layer on InGaN epilayer grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

In this paper we report on the effect of an lnxGal xN continuously graded buffer layer on an InGaN epilayer grown on a GaN template. In our experiment, three types of buffer layers including constant composition, continuously graded composition, and the combination of constant and continuously graded composition are used. Surface morphologies, crystalline quality, indium incorporations, and relaxation degrees of InGaN epilayers with different buffer layers are investigated. It is found that the InxGa1-xN continuously graded buffer layer is effective to improve the surface morphology, crystalline quality, and the indium incorporation of the InGaN epilayer. These superior characteristics of the continuously graded buffer layer can be attributed to the sufficient strain release and the reduction of dislocations.

Unidirectional expansion of lattice parameters in GaN induced by ion implantation

This paper reports that the 150-keV Mn ions are implanted into CaN thin film grown on A1203 by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition. The X-ray diffraction reciprocal spacing mapping is applied to study the lattice parameter variation upon implantation and post-annealing. After implantation, a significant expansion is observed in the perpendicular direction. The lattice strain in perpendicular direction strongly depends on ion fluence and implantation geometry and can be partially relaxed by post-annealing. While in the parallel direction, the lattice parameter approximately keeps the same as the unimplanted GaN, which is independent of ion fluence, implantation geometry and post-annealing temperature.

Evaluation of both composition and strain distributions in InGaN epitaxial film using x-ray diffraction techniques

The composition and stain distributions in the InGaN epitaxial films are jointly measured by employing various x-ray diffraction （XRD） techniques, including out-of-plane XRD at special planes, in-plane grazing incidence XRD, and reciprocal space mapping （RSM）. It is confirmed that the measurement of （204） reflection allows a rapid access to estimate the composition without considering the influence of biaxial strain. The two-dimensional RSM checks composition and degree of strain relaxation jointly, revealing an inhomogeneous strain distribution profile along the growth direction. As the film thickness increases from 100 nm to 450 nm, the strain status of InGaN films gradually transfers from almost fully strained to fully relaxed state and then more In atoms incorporate into the film, while the near-interface region of InGaN films remains pseudomorphic to GaN.

InP-based In_xGa_(1-x)As metamorphic buffers with different mismatch grading rates

Linearly graded In_xGa_（1-x）As metamorphic buffers with different mismatch grading rates were grown on InP substrate by gas source molecular beam epitaxy.Room temperature photoluminescence spectra show that the sample with lower mismatch grading rate in the buffer has stronger photoluminescence signal,indicating the improved optical property.Atomic force microscope images show that the lower mismatch grading rate in the buffer leads to a slightly rougher surface.The relaxation procedure with two steps in the buffer layers has been observed by X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping.The measurements of X-ray diffraction also reveal that the lower mismatch grading rate in the buffer is beneficial for the lattice relaxation and release of residual strain.To further increase the relaxation degree,a lower mismatch grading rate and composition ＂overshoot＂ are suggested.

High resolution X-ray diffraction investigation of epitaxially grown SrTiO_3 thin films by laser-MBE

SrTiO3 thin films are epitaxially grown on DyScO3, LaAlO3 substrates with/without buffer layers of DyScO3 and SrRuO3 using laser-MBE. X-ray diffraction methods, such as high resolution X-ray diffraction, grazing incident X-ray diffraction, and reciprocal space mapping are used to investigate the lattice structure, dislocation density, in-plane lattice strain distribution along film thickness. From the measurement results, the effects of substrate on film lattice quality and microstructure are discussed.