Patent ID: 8501141

Claim:
A method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor, in which a molten mixture for a crystal growth comprising at least a Group III metal, an alkali metal and a dopant is reacted with a gas comprising at least nitrogen, to thereby grow a Group III nitride semiconductor on a seed crystal, wherein the method comprises: placing the seed crystal, a solid alkali metal, a solid Group III metal, and a solid dopant in a crucible, such that the solid dopant is placed apart from the solid alkali metal and in a vicinity of the solid Group III metal; forming a Group III metal liquid from the solid Group III metal before formation of an alkali metal liquid from the solid alkali metal by elevating a temperature of the crucible; forming a molten mixture by contacting the Group III metal liquid with the solid dopant in the crucible to be dissolved in the Group III metal liquid; subsequently, forming the alkali metal liquid from the solid alkali metal in the elevating of the temperature; bringing the alkali metal liquid into contact with the molten mixture comprising the Group III metal and the dopant to make the molten mixture for a crystal growth; and growing the Group III nitride semiconductor on the seed crystal.