Spectroscopy of Single Free Standing Quantum Wells
We investigated the interaction of quantum confined exciton states GaAs quantum wells with native surface states. Single molecule photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, developed by T. Huser at LLNL was used to probe the unique bare quantum wells in the free standing quantum well structure. The latter was developed by the M. D. Williams at Clark Atlanta University. The goals of the project during this budget cycle were to procure samples containing GaAs free standing QWs, identify suitable regions for PL analysis at Lawrence Livermore, analyze the structures at room temperature and at liquid nitrogen temperatures. The specific regions of interest on the sample structures were identified by scanning electron microscopy at Clark Atlanta prior to transport to LLNL. Previous attempts at other facilities using NSOM, cathodoluminescence, and conventional PL showed little luminescence activity at room temperature from the 200 {angstrom} thick wells. This suggested either excess recombination due to surface states in the quantum well region or insufficient absorption length for photoluminescence. The literature suggested that the effect of the defects could be eliminated by reducing the sample temperature below their associated activation energies. In our previous subcontract work with LLNL, a significant amount of effort was expended to modify the apparatus to allow low temperature measurements. The modifications were not successful and we concluded that in order to do the measurements at low temperature we would need to purchase a commercial optical cryostat to get reliable results. Ms. Rochelle Bryant worked during the summer as an intern at LLNL on the project under the supervision of C. Hollars and in collaboration with T. Huser and found that PL emission could be obtained at room temperature. This was a surprising result as the literature and our experience shows that there is no PL emission from GaAs at room temperature. We speculate that this is due to the small interaction region excited by the laser source. We proceeded with the project using this new found room temperature capability and have analyzed the effect of various chemical species on the PL emission from the GaAs QWs. We were able to observe some significant intensity modifications of the PL spectra with chemical adsorbants. This progress holds promise for the development of this structure as a chemical or biological sensor.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 883615
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-TR-219998; TRN: US200615%%180
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ABSORPTION
CATHODOLUMINESCENCE
CRYOSTATS
DEFECTS
EXCITONS
LASERS
LUMINESCENCE
MODIFICATIONS
NITROGEN
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
PROBES
QUANTUM WELLS
RECOMBINATION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY