Chains of quantum dot molecules grown on Si surface pre-patterned by ion-assisted nanoimprint lithography
- Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrenteva 13, 630090 Novosibirsk (Russian Federation)
An original approach based on the combination of nanoimprint lithography and ion irradiation through mask has been developed for fabrication of large-area periodical pattern on Si(100). Using the selective etching of regions amorphized by ion irradiation ordered structures with grooves and ridges were obtained. The shape and depth of the relief were governed by ion energy and by the number of etching stages as well. Laterally ordered chains of Ge quantum dots were fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy of Ge on the pre-patterned Si substrates. For small amount of Ge deposited chains contain separate quantum dot molecules. The increase of deposition amount leads to overlapping of quantum dot molecules with formation of dense homogeneous chains of quantum dots. It was shown that the residual irradiation-induced bulk defects underneath the grooves suppress nucleation of Ge islands at the bottom of grooves. On pre-patterned substrates with whole defect regions, etched quantum dots grow at the bottom of grooves. The observed location of Ge quantum dots is interpreted in terms of local strain-mediated surface chemical potential which controls the sites of islands nucleation. The local chemical potential is affected by additional strain formed by the residual defects. It was shown by molecular dynamics calculations that these defects form the compressive strain at the bottom of grooves.
- OSTI ID:
- 22350915
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 105, Issue 15; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Cavity-enhanced single photon emission from site-controlled In(Ga)As quantum dots fabricated using nanoimprint lithography
Advanced low blaze angle x-ray gratings via nanoimprint replication and plasma etch