Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Calculation of strain compensation thickness for III–V semiconductor quantum dot superlattices

Journal Article · · Journal of Crystal Growth
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [4]
  1. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY (United States); DOE/OSTI
  2. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA (United States)
  3. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States)
  4. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY (United States)
Models based on continuum elasticity theory are discussed to calculate the necessary thickness of a strain compensation (SC) layer for a superlattice (SL) of strained quantum wells (QW) or quantum dots (QD). These models are then expanded to cover material systems (substrates, QW or QD, and SC) composed of AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InP, InAs, or InSb, as well as the ternary, quaternary, and higher order material alloys possible in the Al/Ga/In/P/As/Sb systems. SC thickness calculation methods were compared against dynamical scattering simulations and experimental X-ray diffraction measurements of the InAs/GaP/GaAs QD/SC/Substrate superlattices of varying SC thickness. Based on the reduced (but not eliminated) strain present, a further modified strain compensation thickness is calculated to maximize the number of SL repeat units before the onset of misfit dislocations is also calculated. In conclusion, these models have been assembled into a free application on nanoHUB for use by the community.
Research Organization:
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Science Foundation (NSF); US Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN); USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
FG36-08GO18012
OSTI ID:
1533967
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1430551
Journal Information:
Journal of Crystal Growth, Journal Name: Journal of Crystal Growth Journal Issue: C Vol. 454; ISSN 0022-0248
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (18)

Review of current progress in quantum dot infrared photodetectors: Current progress in QDIPs journal December 2009
Die Konstitution der Mischkristalle und die Raumf�llung der Atome journal January 1921
Dislocations in strained-layer epitaxy: theory, experiment, and applications journal November 1991
Strain-Balanced Criteria for Multiple Quantum Well Structures and Its Signature in X-ray Rocking Curves journal July 2002
Band parameters for III–V compound semiconductors and their alloys journal June 2001
Emitter degradation in quantum dot intermediate band solar cells journal June 2007
Effect of strain compensation on quantum dot enhanced GaAs solar cells journal March 2008
Evaluation of strain balancing layer thickness for InAs/GaAs quantum dot arrays using high resolution x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence journal November 2009
Understanding the operation of quantum dot intermediate band solar cells journal February 2012
InGaAs quantum dot superlattice with vertically coupled states in InGaP matrix journal July 2013
Investigation of optical transitions in InAs/GaAs(Sb)/AlAsSb quantum dots using modulation spectroscopy journal December 2014
Self-organized InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot arrays for use in high-efficiency intermediate-band solar cells journal December 2012
InAs/GaAs pyramidal quantum dots: Strain distribution, optical phonons, and electronic structure journal October 1995
Theoretical and experimental examination of the intermediate-band concept for strain-balanced (In,Ga)As/Ga(As,P) quantum dot solar cells journal November 2008
Delta-Doping Effects on Quantum-Dot Solar Cells journal July 2014
Epitaxy of high aspect ratio and wetting-layer-free InAs quantum dots on (Al)GaAs conference June 2012
Nanostructured photovoltaics for space power journal January 2009
Broadly tunable high-power InAs/GaAs quantum-dot external cavity diode lasers journal January 2010

Figures / Tables (7)