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Morphology of Au/GaAs interfaces

Journal Article · · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.97318· OSTI ID:6998119

The interface morphology of gold contacts on ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) cleaved, air-exposed, and chemically prepared GaAs surfaces has been studied by electron microscopy. Diodes formed on atomically clean cleaved (110) GaAs surfaces, subsequently annealed at 405 /sup 0/C, were found to have flat interfaces. In contrast, diodes formed on air-exposed and chemically prepared GaAs surfaces, also subsequently annealed at 405 /sup 0/C, were found to have rough and uneven interfaces with a large number of protrusions extending into the semiconductor. They have different orientation relationships with the GaAs substrate than the diodes prepared in situ in UHV. The results of this study show that, upon annealing, the interfacial chemistry and morphology depend strongly on the surface preparation of GaAs before gold deposition.

Research Organization:
Materials and Molecular Research Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
6998119
Journal Information:
Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 49:22; ISSN APPLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English