Strain relaxation and band-gap tunability in ternary InxGa1-xN nanowires

The alloy formation enthalpy and band structure of InGaN nanowires were studied by a combined approach of the valence-force field model, Monte Carlo simulation, and density-functional theory (DFT). For both random and ground-state structures of the coherent InGaN alloy, the nanowire configuration was found to be more favorable for the strain relaxation than the bulk alloy. We proposed an analytical formula for computing the band gap of any InGaN nanowires based on the results from the screened exchange hybrid DFT calculations, which in turn reveals a better band-gap tunability in ternary InGaN nanowires than the bulk alloy.

Electron spin relaxation by nuclei and holes in single InAs quantum dots

Electron spin relaxation of charged excitons X+ and X2+ are investigated by time-resolved and polarization-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. For X+ configuration, the electron spin relaxation shows a typical decay curve induced by hyperfine interaction with nuclei, whereas for X2+ state the electron spin relaxation is affected not only by nuclei but also by electron-hole exchange interaction, leading to a power-law time dependence.

The investigation on strain relaxation and double peaks in photoluminescence of InGaN/GaN MQW layers

Two emission peaks were observed in the low temperature photoluminescence (LTPL) spectra of an InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) structure before and after nanopillar fabrication. After nanopillar fabrication it is found that among the two peaks the longer wavelength peak exhibits a clear blue shift and has a much stronger enhancement in LTPL intensity than the shorter one. Combined with x-ray diffraction and spatially resolved cathodoluminescence analyses, the difference induced by nanopillar fabrication is ascribed to different strain relaxation states in the lower and upper quantum well layers. It is found that the lower QW layers of the as-grown MQW which causes the longer wavelength PL peak are more strained, while the upper ones are almost fully strain-relaxed. Therefore, the nanopillar fabrication induces much less strain relaxation in the upper part of the MQW than in the lower one.

Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation in InSb/AlxIn(1-x)Sb quantum wells

We investigate theoretically the Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation time by solving the eight-band Kane model and Poisson equation self-consistently. Our results show distinct behavior with the single-band model due to the anomalous spin-orbit interactions in narrow band-gap semiconductors, and agree well with the experiment values reported in recent experiment [K. L. Litvinenko et al., New J. Phys. 8, 49 (2006)]. We find a strong resonant enhancement of the spin relaxation time appears for spin align along [1 (1) over bar0] at a certain electron density at 4 K. This resonant peak is smeared out with increasing the temperature.

Spin Relaxation of Electrons in Single InAs Quantum Dots

By using polarization-resolved photoluminescence spectra, we study the electron spin relaxation in single InAs quantum dots (QDs) with the configuration of positively charged excitons X+ (one electron, two holes). The spin relaxation rate of the hot electrons increases with the increasing energy of exciting photons. For electrons localized in QDs the spin relaxation is induced by hyperfine interaction with the nuclei. A rapid decrease of polarization degree with increasing temperature suggests that the spin relaxation mechanisms are mainly changed from the hyperfine interaction with nuclei into an electron-hole exchange interaction.

Nature of interfacial defects and their roles in strain relaxation at highly lattice mismatched 3C-SiC/Si (001) interface

Misfit defects in a 3C-SiC/Si (001) interface were investigated using a 200 kV high-resolution electron microscope with a point resolution of 0.194 nm. The [110] high-resolution electron microscopic images that do not directly reflect the crystal structure were transformed into the structure map through image deconvolution. Based on this analysis, four types of misfit dislocations at the 3C-SiC/Si (001) interface were determined. In turn, the strain relaxation mechanism was clarified through the generation of grow-in perfect misfit dislocations (including 90 degrees Lomer dislocations and 60 degrees shuffle dislocations) and 90 partial dislocations associated with stacking faults. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3234380]

A study of the degree of relaxation of AlGaN epilayers on GaN template

The strain state of 570nm AlXGa1-xN layers grown on 600nm GaN template by metal organic chemical vapor deposition was studied using Rutherford backscattering (RBS)/channeling and triple-axis X-ray diffraction measurements. The results showed that the degree of relaxation (R) of AlxGa1-xN layers increased almost linearly when x less than or equal to 0.42 and reached to 70% when x = 0.42. Above 0.42, the value of R varied slowly and AI(x)Ga(1-x)N layers almost full relaxed when x = 1 (AIN). In this work the underlying GaN layer was in compressive strain, which resulted in the reduction of lattice misfit between GaN and AlxGa1-xN, and a 570nm AlxGa1-xN layer with the composition of about 0.16 might be grown on GaN coherently from the extrapolation. The different shape of (0004) diffraction peak was discussed to be related to the relaxation. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intraband relaxation and its influences on quantum dot lasers

A comprehensive two-level numerical model is developed to describe carrier distribution in a quantum-dot laser. Light-emission spectra with different intraband relaxation rates (2ps, 7.5ps and 20ps) are calculated and analysed to investigate the influence of relaxation rates on performance of the quantum-dot laser. The results indicate that fast intraband relaxation favours not only the ground state single mode operation but also the higher injection efficiency.

Growth of Ge quantum dot mediated by boron on Ge wetting layer

We, report on the influence of boron on the formation of Ge quantum dots. The investigated structure consists of a Ge wetting layer, on which a sub-monolayer boron is deposited and subsequently a Ge top layer. For sufficiently thin Ge top layers, the strain field induced by boron on Ge wetting layer destabilizes the Ge top layer and causes the formation of small Ge quantum dots. However, for thicker Ge top layers, boron on the Ge wetting layer diffuses into Ge layers, compensates partly the strain and delays the evolution of Ge quantum dots. By this method, small Ge quantum dots with high density as well as size uniformity can be formed by optimizing the growth condition. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spontaneous relaxation of a charge qubit under electrical measurement

In this work we first derive a generalized conditional master equation for quantum measurement by a mesoscopic detector, then study the readout characteristics of qubit measurement where a number of remarkable new features are found. The work would, in particular, highlight the qubit spontaneous relaxation effect induced by the measurement itself rather than an external thermal bath.

Carrier channels of multimodal-sized quantum dots: A surface-mediated adatom migration picture

This paper focuses on the study of carrier channels of multimodal-sized quantum dots formed on patterned substrate by a rate-equation-based model. Surface-mediated indium adatom migration is revealed by a direct comparison between quantum dot wetting layer, which acts as carrier channel, formed on a flat substrate and on a patterned substrate. For the assessment of suitability, the carrier channel of the dot-in-well structure has also been studied by the present model, and the transition energies of the carrier channel (e.g., InGaAs quantum well) obtained from theoretical simulation agree fairly well with those obtained from the reflectance measurements.

Effect of inter-level relaxation and cavity length on double-state lasing performance of quantum dot lasers

Double-state lasing phenomena are easily observed in self-assembled quantum dot (QD) lasers. The effect of inter-level relaxation rate and cavity length on the double-state lasing performance of QD lasers is investigated on the basis of a rate equation model. Calculated results show that, for a certain cavity length, the ground state (GS) lasing threshold current increases almost linearly with the inter-level relaxation lifetime. However, as the relaxation rate becomes slower, the ratio of excited state (ES) lasing threshold current over the GS one decreases, showing an evident exponential behavior. A relatively feasible method to estimate the inter-level relaxation lifetime, which is difficult to measure directly, is provided. In addition, fast inter-level relaxation is favorable for the GS single-mode lasing, and leads to lower wetting layer (WL) carrier occupation probability and higher QD GS capture efficiency and external differential quantum efficiency. Besides, the double-state lasing effect strongly depends on the cavity length. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of electron-hole spatial correlation on spin relaxation dynamics in InAs submonolayer

Using time-resolved photoluminescence and time-resolved Kerr rotation spectroscopy, we explore the unique electron spin behavior in an InAs submonolayer sandwiched in a GaAs matrix, which shows very different spin characteristics under resonant and non-resonant excitations. While a very long spin relaxation lifetime of a few nanoseconds at low temperature is observed under non-resonant excitation, it decreases dramatically under resonant excitation. These interesting results are attributed to the difference in electron-hole interactions caused by non-geminate or geminate capture of photo-generated electron-hole pairs in the two excitation cases, and provide a direct verification of the electron-hole spatial correlation effect on electron spin relaxation. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spin relaxation dynamics in InAs monolayer and submonolayer

By using time-resolved photoluminescence and time-resolved Kerr rotation, we have studied the unique electron spin dynamics in InAs monolayer (ML) and submonolayer (SML), which were sandwiched in GaAs matrix. Under non-resonant excitation, the spin relaxation lifetimes of 3.4 ns and 0.48 ns were observed for 1/3 ML and I ML InAs samples, respectively. More interestingly, the spin lifetime of the 1/3 ML InAs decreased dramatically under resonant excitation, down to 70 ps, while the spin lifetime of the 1 ML sample did not vary much, changing only from 400 to 340 ps. These interesting results come from the different electron-hole interactions caused by different spatial electron-hole correlation, and they provide a direct evidence of the dominant spin relaxation process, i.e. the BAP mechanism. Furthermore, these new results may provide a valuable enlightenment in controlling the spin relaxation and in seeking new material systems for spintronics application.

Columnar structures and stress relaxation in thick GaN films grown on sapphire by HVPE

Thick GaN films with high quality are directly grown on sapphire in a home-built vertical hydride vapour phase epitaxy (HVPE) reactor. The optical and structural properties of large scale columnar do-mains near the interface are studied using cathodoluminescence and micro-Raman scattering. These columnar do-mains Show a strong emission intensity due to extremely high free carrier concentration up to 2 x 10(19) cm(-3), which are related with impurities trapped in structural defects. The compressive stress in GaN Elm clearly decreases with increasing distance from interface. The quasi-continuous columnar domains play an important role in the stress relaxation for the upper high quality layer.