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Review of radiation-induced defects in GaAs

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0279267· OSTI ID:2588077

Radiation-resilient optoelectronic materials are highly desired in space and nuclear applications, and understanding the relevant defects and electronic processes in those materials is crucial for both current and next-generation applications. GaAs is a prototypical semiconductor that serves as a foundational system for describing and understanding optoelectronic devices. In this review, both experimental studies and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of irradiated GaAs are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the deep-level transient spectroscopy, irradiation-induced amorphization zones, and MD predictions of damage structures. The MD results are also compared to predictions of the non-ionized energy-loss model. Recent theoretical studies, in particular, density functional theory based calculations on the simple intrinsic defects and defect clusters in GaAs, are also reviewed. These defects have an important role in dictating the evolution of GaAs in radiation damage environments, as they impact the coupled dynamics of charge carriers. Finally, possible gaps and challenges toward the general understanding of defect evolution in GaAs are discussed.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
2588077
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--25-20417; 10.1063/5.0279267; 1089-7550
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 138; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN 1089-7550
Publisher:
AIP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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