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Improving the short-wave infrared response of strained GeSn/Ge multiple quantum wells by rapid thermal annealing

Journal Article · · Vacuum

In this work, the evolution of structural, optical and optoelectronic properties of coherently strained Ge0.883Sn0.117/Ge multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy under rapid thermal annealing (RTA) is systematically investigated. The MQW structure remains fully-strained state with RTA at 400 °C or below and disrupts at higher annealing temperatures due to Sn segregation and interdiffusion of Ge and Sn atoms. The GeSn well layers exhibit the strongest absorption in 2.0–2.4 μm after annealing at 400 °C and become transparent above 1.8 μm after RTA at 600 °C or beyond due to serve Sn segregation. Owing to improved crystal quality after RTA at 400 °C, the dark current of the fabricated metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector is effectively lowered by more than two times. Additionally, the responsivities at 1.55 and 2.0 μm are improved by 4.15 and 3.78 folds, respectively, compared to those of the as-grown sample. Here, the results can be an insightful guidance for the development of high-performance short-wave infrared photonic devices based on Sn-containing group-IV low-dimensional structures.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); NASA
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0023412
OSTI ID:
1923668
Journal Information:
Vacuum, Journal Name: Vacuum Vol. 210; ISSN 0042-207X
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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