(Al,Ga)(As,P) structures in the GaP matrix

vi Abstract Transparency of GaP due to the large indirect bandgap energy and its small lattice mismatch with Si make GaP an interesting candidate for optoelectronic devices in visible wavelength. This thesis is an investigation on the structural and optical characteristics of (Al,Ga)(As,P) heterostructures grown on GaP (001) substrates. The influences of the PH3 flux and growth temperature are studied on the crystal and surface quality of AlGaP/GaP heterostructure. The results indicate the narrow growth window of PH3 = 2.7 sccm and growth temperature = 490oC as the optimized conditions. To overcome the inefficient light emission of indirect GaP, direct bandgap GaAs was grown as the quantum structures in the GaP matrix. The QD formation is driven by the 3.7% lattice mismatch between GaAs and GaP for GaAs nominal thickness above 1.2 ML. The optical measurements show two peaks in the range of 1.7 to 2.1 eV and the luminescence up to room temperature for 2.7 and 3.6 ML samples. The high energy emission is attributed to indirect carrier recombination in the thin quantum wells or small strained quantum dots, whereas the low energy red emission is due to the direct electron-hole recombination in the relaxed quantum dots. The influence of the Al content on the band alignment and electronic structure of (Al,Ga)As quantum structures is studied. The optical spectra illustrate the blueshift of the radiative emission with increasing the Al content and the highest emission energy of 2.17 eV is observed for the (Al,Ga)As/GaP system that is related to the indirect type-II radiative recombination.Transparency of GaP due to the large indirect bandgap energy and its small lattice mismatch with Si make GaP an interesting candidate for optoelectronic devices in visible wavelength. This thesis is an investigation on the structural and optical characteristics of (Al,Ga)(As,P) heterostructures grown on GaP (001) substrates. The influences of the PH3 flux and growth temperature are studied on the crystal and surface quality of AlGaP/GaP heterostructure. The results indicate the narrow growth window of PH3 = 2.7 sccm and growth temperature = 490oC as the optimized conditions. To overcome the inefficient light emission of indirect GaP, direct bandgap GaAs was grown as the quantum structures in the GaP matrix. The QD formation is driven by the 3.7% lattice mismatch between GaAs and GaP for GaAs nominal thickness above 1.2 ML. The optical measurements show two peaks in the range of 1.7 to 2.1 eV and the luminescence up to room temperature for 2.7 and 3.6 ML samples. The high energy emission is attributed to indirect carrier recombination in the thin quantum wells or small strained quantum dots, whereas the low energy red emission is due to the direct electron-hole recombination in the relaxed quantum dots. The influence of the Al content on the band alignment and electronic structure of (Al,Ga)As quantum structures is studied. The optical spectra illustrate the blueshift of the radiative emission with increasing the Al content and the highest emission energy of 2.17 eV is observed for the (Al,Ga)As/GaP system that is related to the indirect type-II radiative recombination.