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The bandgap-selective photoelectrochemical etching of GaAs/Al[sub x]Ga[sub 1[minus]x]As heterostructures with varying mole fraction

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2220783· OSTI ID:6147293
; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, CA (United States). Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The authors have demonstrated the highly selective removal of low aluminum (Al) mole-fraction Al[sub x]Ga[sub 1[minus]x]As layers from those with higher Al mole-fraction using the wet photoelectrochemical (PEC) etch process. AGaAs/Al[sub x]Ga[sub 1[minus]x]As semiconductor structure with layers of varying Al mole-fraction was examined. The sample was etched in a (1:20) HCl:H[sub 2]O electrolyte solution. A Ti/sapphire laser was used as the light source to tune the incident photon energy between the various bandgaps of the heterostructure layers. Relative etch rates >10[sup 4]:1 and >10[sup 3]:1 were found for mole fraction differences in x of 0.15 and 0.05, respectively. The selectivity was examined as a function of incident wavelength.
OSTI ID:
6147293
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States) Vol. 140:7; ISSN 0013-4651; ISSN JESOAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English