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Title: High pressure measurements on Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As-GaAs (x = 0. 5 and 1) superlattices and quantum well heterostructure lasers

Journal Article · · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.331553· OSTI ID:5034215

Absorption data on AlAs-GaAs and Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As-GaAs superlattices (SL's) and emission data on Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As-GaAs quantum well heterostructure (QWH) laser diodes subjected to hydrostatic pressure (0--10 kbar) at 300 K are presented. Superlattice absorption data show that the confined-particle transitions, which partition and ''label'' the GAMMA energy band high above the band edge, all move with the same pressure coefficient of 11.5 meV/kbar. (For bulk GaAs, the pressure coefficient is 12.5 meV/kbar.) The effect of the L indirect minima on the highest observed confined-particle transitions is small; the effect of the X minima is large. At lower pressures, QWH diodes exhibit a pressure dependence similar to that of the free (unconstrained) SL's. The data on QWH diodes demonstrate, however, a size-dependent (L/sub z/(GaAs)<500 A) shift in slope to a lower (8.5 meV/kbar) energy gap versus pressure coefficient at higher pressures. This change in slope can be explained by considering the effect on the light- and heavy-hole subbands of shear stresses generated within the p-n diode heterostructure.

Research Organization:
Electrical Engineering Research Laboratory and Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76ER01198
OSTI ID:
5034215
Journal Information:
J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 53:9
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English