Effects of As(2) Versus As(4) on InAs/GaSb Heterostructures: As-for-Sb Exchange and Film Stability

Abstract

We have used cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy and x-ray diffraction to characterize and compare the effects of As2 versus As4 on the growth of InAs/GaSb heterostructures by molecular beam epitaxy. When GaSb surfaces are exposed to an As2 flux, the As exchanges with the surface Sb in an anion exchange reaction that creates layers of GaAs. In contrast, when GaSb surfaces are exposed to As4 fluxes, there is no evidence of the As-for-Sb exchange reaction. When comparing the use of As2 and As4 in periodic InAs/GaSb superlattices, the differences in the As incorporation rate into GaSb is further evident in x-ray diffraction spectra as a shift in the average lattice constant of the epilayer due to GaAs bond formation. Although inhibiting the exchange reaction would be useful in the minimization of the cross incorporation of As in the GaSb layers, the growth of InAs/GaSb heterostructures using As4 can be complicated by the introduction of film instabilities that have not been observed in growths using As2.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA482505

Entities

People

  • B. Z. Nosho
  • Brian R. Bennett
  • Lloyd J. Whitman
  • M. Goldenberg

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antimonides
  • Bragg Angle
  • Crystal Lattices
  • Diffraction
  • Epitaxial Growth
  • Exchange Reactions
  • Films
  • Heterojunctions
  • Materials
  • Molecular Beam Epitaxy
  • Molecular Beams
  • Optical Properties
  • Phase Transformations
  • Semiconductors
  • Spectra
  • X Rays
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.