An advanced theoretical approach to study super-multiperiod superlattices:theory vs experiments

A new theoretical method to study super-multiperiod superlattices has been developed.The method combines the precision of the 8-band kp-method with the flexibility of the shooting method and the Monte Carlo approach.This method was applied to examine the finest quality samples of super-multiperiod Al_(0.3)Ga_(0.7)As/GaAs superlattices grown by molecular beam epitaxy.The express photoreflectance spectroscopy method was utilized to validate the proposed theoretical method.For the first time,the accurate theoretical analysis of the energy band diagram of super-multiperiod superlattices with experimental verification has been conducted.The proposed approach highly accurately determines transition peak positions and enables the calculation of the energy band diagram,transition energies,relaxation rates,and gain estimation.It has achieved a remarkably low 5%error compared to the commonly used method,which typically results in a 25%error,and allowed to recover the superlattice parameters.The retrieved intrinsic parameters of the samples aligned with XRD data and growth parameters.The proposed method also accurately predicted the escape of the second energy level for quantum well thicknesses less than 5 nm,as was observed in photoreflectance experiments.The new designs of THz light-emitting devices operating at room temperature were suggested by the developed method.

High-performance extended short-wavelength infrared PBn photodetectors based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices

High performance short-wavelength infrared PBn photodetectors based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices on GaSb substrate have been demonstrated.At 300 K,the device exhibits a 50%cut-off wavelength of~2.1μm as predicted from the band structure calculation;the device responsivity peaks at 0.85 A/W,corresponding to a quantum efficiency(QE)of 56%for 2.0μm-thick absorption region.The dark current density of 1.03×10^(-3)A/cm^(2)is obtained under 50 mV applied bias.The device exhibits a saturated dark current shot noise limited specific detectivity(D*)of 3.29×1010cm·Hz^(1/2)/W(at a peak responsivity of 2.0μm)under-50 mV applied bias.

Impeded thermal transport in aperiodic BN/C nanotube superlattices due to phonon Anderson localization

Anderson localization of phonons is a kind of phonon wave effect,which has been proved to occur in many structures with disorders.In this work,we introduced aperiodicity to boron nitride/carbon nanotube superlattices(BN/C NT SLs),and used molecular dynamics to calculate the thermal conductivity and the phonon transmission spectrum of the models.The existence of phonon Anderson localization was proved in this quasi one-dimensional structure by analyzing the phonon transmission spectra.Moreover,we introduced interfacial mixing to the aperiodic BN/C NT SLs and found that the coexistence of the two disorder entities(aperiodicity and interfacial mixing)can further decrease the thermal conductivity.In addition,we also showed that anharmonicity can destroy phonon localization at high temperatures.This work provides a reference for designing thermoelectric materials with low thermal conductivity by taking advantage of phonon localization.

Strain compensated type Ⅱ superlattices grown by molecular beam epitaxy

We investigate a strain compensation method for the growth of complex interband cascade laser structures. For thick In As/Al Sb superlattice clad layers, the sublayer thicknesses were adjusted so that the tensile strain energy in the In As sublayer was equal to the compressive strain energy in the Al Sb sublayer. For the four-constituent active region, as the compressive strain in the Ga0.65In0.35Sb alloy layer was large, a tensile strain was incorporated in the chirped In As/Al Sb superlattice region for strain compensation to the Ga0.65In0.35Sb alloy. A laser structure of thickness 6 μm was grown on the Ga Sb substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. The wafer exhibited good surface morphology and high crystalline quality.

Bending Resistance Covalent Organic Framework Superlattice:“Nano‑Hourglass”‑Induced Charge Accumulation for Flexible In‑Plane Micro‑Supercapacitors

Covalent organic framework(COF)film with highly exposed active sites is considered as the promising flexible selfsupported electrode for in-plane microsupercapacitor(MSC).Superlattice configuration assembled alternately by different nanofilms based on van der Waals force can integrate the advantages of each isolated layer to exhibit unexpected performances as MSC film electrodes,which may be a novel option to ensure energy output.Herein,a mesoporous free-standing A-COF nanofilm(pore size is 3.9 nm,averaged thickness is 4.1 nm)with imine bond linkage and a microporous B-COF nanofilm(pore size is 1.5 nm,averaged thickness is 9.3 nm)withβ-keto-enamine-linkages are prepared,and for the first time,we assembly the two lattice matching films into sandwich-type superlattices via layer-by-layer transfer,in which ABA–COF superlattice stacking into a“nano-hourglass”steric configuration that can accelerate the dynamic charge transportation/accumulation and promote the sufficient redox reactions to energy storage.The fabricated flexible MSC–ABA–COF exhibits the highest intrinsic CV of 927.9 F cm^(−3) at 10 mV s^(−1) than reported two-dimensional alloy,graphite-like carbon and undoped COF-based MSC devices so far,and shows a bending-resistant energy density of 63.2 mWh cm^(−3) even after high-angle and repeat arbitrary bending from 0 to 180°.This work provides a feasible way to meet the demand for future miniaturization and wearable electronics.

Recent progress on fabrication and flat-band physics in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides moiré superlattices

Moiré superlattices are formed when overlaying two materials with a slight mismatch in twist angle or lattice constant. They provide a novel platform for the study of strong electronic correlations and non-trivial band topology, where emergent phenomena such as correlated insulating states, unconventional superconductivity, and quantum anomalous Hall effect are discovered. In this review, we focus on the semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs) based moiré systems that host intriguing flat-band physics. We first review the exfoliation methods of two-dimensional materials and the fabrication technique of their moiré structures. Secondly, we overview the progress of the optically excited moiré excitons, which render the main discovery in the early experiments on TMD moiré systems. We then introduce the formation mechanism of flat bands and their potential in the quantum simulation of the Hubbard model with tunable doping, degeneracies, and correlation strength. Finally, we briefly discuss the challenges and future perspectives of this field.

Epitaxial growth of trilayer graphene moiré superlattice

The graphene-based moiré superlattice has been demonstrated as an exciting system for investigating strong correlation phenomenon. However, the fabrication of such moiré superlattice mainly relies on transfer technology. Here, we report the epitaxial growth of trilayer graphene(TLG) moiré superlattice on hexagonal boron nitride(h BN) by a remote plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. The as-grown TLG/h BN shows a uniform moiré pattern with a period of ~ 15 nm by atomic force microscopy(AFM) imaging, which agrees with the lattice mismatch between graphene and h BN. By fabricating the device with both top and bottom gates, we observed a gate-tunable bandgap at charge neutral point(CNP) and displacement field tunable satellite resistance peaks at half and full fillings. The resistance peak at half-filling indicates a strong electron–electron correlation in our grown TLG/h BN superlattice. In addition, we observed quantum Hall states at Landau level filling factors ν = 6, 10, 14,..., indicating that our grown trilayer graphene has the ABC stacking order. Our work suggests that epitaxy provides an easy way to fabricate stable and reproducible two-dimensional strongly correlated electronic materials.

Long wavelength interband cascade photodetector with type Ⅱ InAs/GaSb superlattice absorber

We report on a long wavelength interband cascade photodetector with type Ⅱ InAs/GaSb superlattice absorber.The device is a three-stage interband cascade structure.At 77 K,the 50%cutoff wavelength of the detector is 8.48μm and the peak photoresponse wavelength is 7.78μm.The peak responsivity is 0.93 A/W and the detectivity D*is 1.12×10^(11)cm·Hz0.5/W for 7.78μm at-0.20 V.The detector can operate up to about 260 K.At 260 K,the 50%cutoff wavelength is 11.52μm,the peak responsivity is 0.78 A/W and the D*is 5.02×10^(8)cm·Hz0.5/W for the peak wavelength of 10.39μm at-2.75 V.The dark current of the device is dominated by the diffusion current under both a small bias voltage of-0.2 V and a large one of-2.75 V for the temperature range of 120 to 260 K.

Spontaneous isospin polarization and quantum Hall ferromagnetism in a rhombohedral trilayer graphene superlattice

Moiré superlattices in van der Waals heterostructures have recently attracted enormous interests, due to the highly controllable electronic correlation that gives rise to superconductivity, ferromagnetism, and nontrivial topological properties. To gain a deep understanding of such exotic properties, it is essential to clarify the broken symmetry between spin and valley flavors which universally exists in these ground states. Here in a rhombohedral trilayer graphene crystallographically aligned with a hexagonal boron nitride, we report various kinds of symmetry-breaking transition tuned by displacement fields(D) and magnetic fields:(ⅰ) While it is well known that a finite D can enhance correlation to result in correlated insulators at fractional fillings of a flat band, we find the correlation gap emerges before the flavor is fully filled at a positive D, but the sequence is reversed at a negative D.(ⅱ) Around zero D, electronic correlation can be invoked by narrow Landau levels, leading to quantum Hall ferromagnetism that lifts all the degeneracies including not only spin and valley but also orbital degrees of freedom. Our result unveils the complication of transitions between symmetry-breaking phases, shedding light on the mechanisms of various exotic phenomena in strongly correlated systems.

Superwide-angle acoustic propagations above the critical angles of the Snell law in liquid solid superlattice

In this paper, superwide-angle acoustic propagations above the critical angles of the Snell law in liquid–solid superlattice are investigated. Incident waves above the critical angles of the Snell law usually inevitably induce total reflection.However, incident waves with big oblique angles through the liquid–solid superlattice will produce a superwide angle transmission in a certain frequency range so that total reflection does not occur. Together with the simulation by finite element analysis, theoretical analysis by using transfer matrix method suggests the Bragg scattering of the Lamb waves as the physical mechanism of acoustic wave super-propagation far beyond the critical angle. Incident angle, filling fraction,and material thickness have significant influences on propagation. Superwide-angle propagation phenomenon may have potential applications in nondestructive evaluation of layered structures and controlling of energy flux.

Molecular Chirality and Chiral Superlattice in Crystal of Tetrakis[(pyrrol-1-yl)methyl]methane

The crystal structure of tetrakis[(pyrrol-1-yl)methyl]methane was determined by X-ray diffraction measurement, and the result shows that it belongs to monoclinic crystal system, space group is P2 1/n, with a=0.9284(3) nm, b=1.0950(6) nm, c=1.8749(8) nm; α=γ= 90.00(4)°, β=103.63(3)°, V=1.8523(14) nm 3, Z=4, ρ calcd. =1.192 kg/m 3, μ=0.072 nm -1 , F(000)=712, R 1=0.0854, wR 2=0.1884. It has been found that the molecules exist in two enantiomeric states. Enantioselective self-assemblies such as one-dimensional molecular stacks in a single handedness, homochiral monolayers and a chiral superlattice are specified in this racemic crystal. In addition, a simple technique is advocated to distinguish chiral states from tetrahedral molecules in the solid state. The present R/S nomenclature of the tetracooradinated carbon centers is used solely for its convenience to distinguish the two enantiomeric states, but not used to determine the absolute configurations.

The influence of AlN/GaN superlattice intermediate layer on the properties of GaN grown on Si（111） substrates

AlN/GaN superlattice buffer is inserted between GaN epitaxiai layer and Si substrate before epitaxiai growth of GaN layer. High-quality and crack-free GaN epitaxiai layers can be obtained by inserting AlN/GaN superlattice buffer layer. The influence of AlN/GaN superlattice buffer layer on the properties of GaN films are investigated in this paper. One of the important roles of the superlattice is to release tensile strain between Si substrate and epilayer. Raman spectra show a substantial decrease of in-plane tensile strain in GaN layers by using AlN/GaN superlattice buffer layer. Moreover, TEM cross-sectional images show that the densities of both screw and edge dislocations are significantly reduced. The GaN films grown on Si with the superlattice buffer also have better surface morphology and optical properties.

ELECTRONIC STRUCTURES OF (CdSe)_n/(ZnSe)_m STRAINED-LAYER SUPERLATTICES

The electronic structures of (CdSe)n/(ZnSe)m strained-lager soperfattice (SLS) were investigated by the recursion method in the tight-bindiop opproximation. The total,local, and partial density of states were calculated for n=1, m=5.The total density of states (TDOS) for bulk CdSe, ZnSe and n=1, 3, m=1, 3, 5, for SLS were investigated.Fermi energy, the band gap, the valence of an atom, and the ionization potential and the electron affinity were discassed.

Enhanced performance of GaN-based light-emitting diodes with InGaN/GaN superlattice barriers

GaN-based multiple quantum well light-emitting diodes （LEDs） with conventional and superlattice barriers have been investigated numerically. Simulation results demonstrate using InGaN/GaN superlattices as barriers can effectively enhance performances of the GaN-Based LEDs, mainly owing to the improvement of hole injection and transport among the MQW active region. Meanwhile, the improved electron capture decreases the electron leakage and alleviates the efficiency droop. The weak polarization field induced by the superlattice structure strengthens the intensity of the emission spectrum and leads to a blue-shift relative to the conventional one.

Improvement of doping efficiency in Mg-Al_(0.14)Ga_(0.86)N/GaN superlattices with AlN interlayer by suppressing donor-like defects

We investigate the mechanism for the improvement of p-type doping efficiency in Mg-Al0.14Ga0.86N/GaN super- lattices （SLs）. It is shown that the hole concentration of SLs increases by nearly an order of magnitude, from 1.1 × 1017 to 9.3×1017 cm-3, when an AlN interlayer is inserted to modulate the strains. SchrSdinger-Poisson self-consistent calculations suggest that such an increase could be attributed to the reduction of donor-like defects caused by the strain modulation induced by the AlN interlayer. Additionally, the donor-acceptor pair emission exhibits a remarkable decrease in intensity of the cathodoluminescence spectrumlfor SLs with an A1N interlayer. This supports the theoretical calculations and indicates that the strain modulation of SLs could be beneficial to the donor-like defect suppression as well as the p-type doping efficiency improvement.

Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Individual Filaments in a Square Superlattice Pattern in Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Spatio-temporal distribution of individual filament in a square superlattice pattern, which consists of large and small spots （filaments）, is studied in atmospheric dielectric barrier discharges. The spatial distributions of the two discharges for individual large filament along the direction perpendicular to the electrode are estimated by the distributions of light signals along the electrode. It is found that the discharge at the rising edge of the applied voltage is with a wider column, weaker current, and longer current pulse duration in comparison with that at the falling edge

Effect of Si doping in wells of AlGaN/GaN superlattice on the characteristics of epitaxial layer

An A1GaN/GaN superlattice grown on the top of a GaN buffer induces the broadening of the full width at half maximum of （102） and （002） X-ray diffraction rocking curves. With an increase in the Si-doped concentration in the GaN wells, the full width at half maximum of the （102） rocking curves decreases, while that of the （002） rocking curves increases. A significant increase of the full width at the half maximum of the （002） rocking curves when the doping concentration reaches 2.5 × 10^19 cm-3 indicates the substantial increase of the inclined threading dislocation. High level doping in the A1GaN/GaN superlattice can greatly reduce the biaxial stress and optimize the surface roughness of the structures grown on the top of it.

Enhanced performances of InGaN/GaN-based blue light-emitting diode with InGaN/AlInGaN superlattice electron blocking layer

InGaN/AIlnGaN superlattice （SL） is designed as the electron blocking layer （EBL） of an InGaN/GaN-based light- emitting diode （LED）. The energy band structure, polarization field at the last-GaN-barrier/EBL interface, carrier concen- tration, radiative recombination rate, electron leakage, internal quantum efficiency （IQE）, current-voltage （l-V） perfor- mance curve, light output-current （L-l） characteristic, and spontaneous emission spectrum are systematically numerically investigated using APSYS simulation software. It is found that the fabricated LED with InGaN/AIInGaN SL EBL exhibits higher light output power, low forward voltage, and low current leakage compared with those of its counterparts. Meanwhile, the efficiency droop can be effectively mitigated. These improvements are mainly attributed to the higher hole injection efficiency and better electron confinement when InGaN/AIlnGaN SL EBL is used.

Etching mask optimization of InAs/GaSb superlattice mid-wavelength infared 640×512 focal plane array

In this paper we focused on the mask technology of inductively coupled plasma（ICP） etching for the mesa fabrication of infrared focal plane arrays（FPA）.By using the SiO_2 mask,the mesa has higher graphics transfer accuracy and creates less micro-ripples in sidewalls.Comparing the IV characterization of detectors by using two different masks,the detector using the SiO_2 hard mask has the R_0A of 9.7×10~6 Ω·cm^2,while the detector using the photoresist mask has the R_0A of3.2 × 10~2 Ω·cm^2 in 77 K.After that we focused on the method of removing the remaining SiO_2 after mesa etching.The dry ICP etching and chemical buffer oxide etcher（BOE） based on HF and NH4 F are used in this part.Detectors using BOE only have closer R_0A to that using the combining method,but it leads to gaps on mesas because of the corrosion on AlSb layer by BOE.We finally choose the combining method and fabricated the 640×512 FPA.The FPA with cutoff wavelength of 4.8 μm has the average R_0A of 6.13 × 10~9 Ω·cm^2 and the average detectivity of 4.51 × 10~9 cm·Hz^（1/2）.W^（-1）at 77 K.The FPA has good uniformity with the bad dots rate of 1.21%and the noise equivalent temperature difference（NEDT） of 22.9 mK operating at 77 K.

Efficiency enhancement of an InGaN light-emitting diode with a p-AlGaN/GaN superlattice last quantum barrier

In this study, the efficiency droop of an InGaN light-emitting diode （LED） is reduced slgnlncanUy oy using a p-AlGaN/GaN superlattice last quantum barrier. The reduction in efficiency droop is mainly caused by the decrease of electron current leakage and the increase of hole injection efficiency, which is revealed by investigating the light currents, internal quantum efficiencies, energy band diagrams, carrier concentrations, carrier current densities, and radiative recombination efficiencies of three LED structures with the advanced physical model of semiconductor device （APSYS）.