KEYWORDS: Particles, Gallium nitride, Aluminum gallium nitride, Semiconductors, Modeling, Ion irradiation, Radioisotopes, Monte Carlo methods, Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, Heterojunctions
Alphavoltaic energy conversion, in which an alpha particle flux from radioisotope sources such as Am-241 is converted into electrical power through a semiconductor junction, offers the promise of a higher power output as compared to the more established betavoltaic systems. Semiconductors coupled to alpha particle irradiation, however, are susceptible to degradation from point defect damage and consequently suffer from reduced power output and operational lifetime. The ternary AlGaN alloy system, due to its high bandgap energy, density, and melting point, is a promising semiconductor system for stable alphavoltaic energy conversion. In this work, AlGaN is explored as a materials basis through both band modeling and combined MBE and MOCVD materials growth of GaN/AlGaN heterojunctions incorporating graded and doped layers. These combined studies and designs work towards a goal of achieving a stable high-power output alphavoltaic device based on the AlGaN materials system.
Decaying alpha particles exposing scintillating materials attached to photovoltaic (PV) energy converters constitute a long-lived, compact α-photovoltaic (APV) power source. A literature review of scintillating materials subsequently ranked by AMU, melting point, and defect creation were tabulated. Numerical modelling and experimental evaluations were performed measuring the parameters of luminosity and luminous degradation. The electrical power output measured from PV collecting the luminescent photons was compared to the input kinetic energy of the 𝛼-source to calculate the net system power efficiency. CsI scintillators affixed to InGaP PV produced the highest α-induced luminosity (2200 ph/MeV) and largest ion fluence (10^16) before net system power degraded to 10% of beginning of life (BOL).
Ultraviolet single-photon avalanche detectors (UV-SPADs) that are low cost, size, weight, and power as well as resilient to shock, high temperatures and stray magnetic fields have a number of applications. SiC is attractive for UV SPADs as it is inherently blind to visible light, and Geiger mode as well as high-gain linear-mode devices have been demonstrated. However, issues remain regarding bias dependence of spatial uniformity of detection efficiency (DE) and responsivity as well as the temporal resolution, or jitter, in Geiger mode. Over a wide range of device structures (p- vs. n- illuminated) we observe a non-uniform responsivity across the active area for values of gain from 100 to 105, and we observe that the nonuniformity is somewhat reduced at higher gain. The spatial dependence of the DE in Geiger mode agrees with linear-mode results for gain >105. This presents in all devices as an “optically dead” region on one side of the detector whose extent varies with operating conditions and is independent of contact geometry and device layout. The temporal resolution of single-photon detection is characterized with a femtosecond-pulsed source at 267 nm and found to have a full-width-at-half-maximum jitter < 92 ps, which is significantly lower than previously reported results and likely an upper bound due to the quenching circuit and the spatial non-uniformity. Numerical modeling suggests that small variations in doping densities and thicknesses of epitaxial layers might be a cause of the non-uniformity. Results also indicate that detector layer design, size, and geometry can mitigate the effects of spatial non-uniformity,
High sensitivity near-ultraviolet (NUV) avalanche photodiodes operating at wavelengths longer than 300 nm are useful for various applications, including surface exploration of Ocean Worlds and other planetary bodies via Raman spectroscopy. 4H-SiC has long been established as a proven UV detector technology; however, the responsivity of 4H–SiC avalanche photodiodes (APDs) diminishes dramatically at wavelengths longer than ≈ 280 nm due to its weak absorption at wavelengths approaching the indirect bandgap. The authors will present on the design and optimization of 4H-SiC separate absorption, charge and multiplication (SACM) APDs for broadband absorption from 266 to 340 nm.
Photodetectors in the ultraviolet spectral range are of great interest for applications such as fluorescence-free Raman spectroscopy and non-line-of-sight optical communications. These applications require single-photon sensitivity, resulting in the use of intensified CCDs or photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) that are bulky, fragile, operate at high voltages, and/or require active cooling. Silicon carbide avalanche photodiodes (SiC APD) show promise as a compact, rugged replacement, as they exhibit low noise, durability and high gain. In this paper we report on detailed studies of p+-p-i-n SiC APDs operating in both Geiger and linear mode. The single photon detection efficiency (SPDE) of these devices was measured as a function of excess bias using a pulsed 280 nm light emitting diode source focused through a 20 µm pinhole to a spot size <12 µm, with photons per pulse characterized at < 0.5 using a UV enhanced PMT. Devices with 100 µm diameter achieved SPDE > 20% with dark count rate (DCR) of < 700 Hz in both gated and continuous operation. Comparison with linear mode operation shows that avalanche multiplication gain in these devices exceeds 5x106 under these conditions. Examination of linear mode gain vs. applied bias dependence suggests that a sluggish dependence corresponds to a poorer SPDE, which is likely associated with parasitic resistance in these devices. This resistance is consistent with the observed inverse dependence of calculated linear mode gain with increasing optical flux. A peak SPDE of 37% was measured at an excess bias of 3.9 V with a DCR of 7.3 kHz.
Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) is used to study the minority carrier lifetime in type-II superlattice (T2SL) infrared detector materials to investigate the recombination mechanisms, trap states and transport properties that currently limit their performance. Measurements of carrier lifetime have shown that InAs/Ga1-xInxSb T2SLs are dominated by non-radiative Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination, resulting in short minority carrier lifetimes (10’s of nanoseconds at 77 K). A trap energy of ~60 meV above the valence band is identified in mid-wavelength infrared n-type InAs/Ga1-xInxSb T2SLs, where trap saturation (non-exponential decay) is observed under high injection levels due to a significantly faster hole capture rate than electron capture rate. Lifetime measurements in “Ga-free” InAs/InAs1-xSbx T2SLs exhibit an order-of-magnitude increase in lifetime (100’s of nanoseconds at 77 K) with contributions from both radiative and non-radiative recombination. This improvement is attributed to the reduction of non-radiative recombination centers from the superlattice with the elimination of Ga and suggests that the SRH trap(s) limiting the carrier lifetime of InAs/Ga1-xInxSb T2SLs is native to the Ga1-xInxSb layer. Additionally, radiative recombination is observed in an InAs/GaSb T2SL using a sub-bandgap CW laser to saturate the SRH recombination centers, yielding a radiative lifetime of ~140 ns at 77 K. Since carrier transport is a concern in Ga-free T2SLs, it is investigated by studying samples grown with and without barriers (to contain injected carriers to the absorber region). It is determined that carrier transport is poor in InAs/InAs1-xSbx T2SLs because negligible differences are observed in the carrier lifetime.
Temperature-dependent minority carrier lifetimes of InAs/InAs1-xSbx type-II superlattices are presented. The longest lifetime at 11 K is 504 ± 40 ns and at 77 K is 412 ± 25 ns. Samples with long periods and small wave function overlaps have both non-radiative and radiative recombination mechanisms apparent, with comparable contributions from both near 77 K, and radiative recombination dominating at low temperatures. Samples with short periods and large wave function overlaps have radiative recombination dominating from 10 K until ~200 K. The improved lifetimes observed will enable long minority carrier lifetime superlattices to be designed for high quantum efficiency, low dark current infrared detectors.
Photoelectrochemical cells are devices that can convert solar radiation to hydrogen gas through a water decomposition
process. In this process, energy is converted from incident photons to the bonds of the generated H2 molecules. The solar
radiation absorption, electron-hole pair splitting, and photoelectrolysis half reactions all occur in the vicinity of the
electrode-electrolyte interface. As a result, engineering the electrode material and its interaction with the electrolyte is
important in investigating and improving the energy conversion process in these devices. III-V nitride materials are
promising candidates for photoelectrochemical energy applications. We demonstrate solar-to-hydrogen conversion in
these cells using p-type GaN and n-type InGaN as a photocathode and photoanode material, respectively. Additionally,
we demonstrate heteroepitaxial MOCVD growth of GaP on Si, enabling future work in developing GaPN as a
photocathode material.
The development of low cost and compact biological agent identification and detection systems, which can
be employed in place-and-forget applications or on unmanned vehicles, is constrained by the photodetector currently
available. The commonly used photomultiplier tube has significant disadvantages that include high cost, fragility,
high voltage operation and poor quantum efficiency in the deep ultraviolet (240-260nm) necessary for methods such
as fluorescence-free Raman spectroscopy. A III-Nitride/ SiC separate absorption and multiplication avalanche
photodiode (SAM-APD) offers a novel approach for fabricating high gain photodetectors with tunable absorption
over a wide spectrum from the visible to deep ultraviolet. However, unlike conventional heterojunction SAM APDs,
the performance of these devices are affected by the presence of defects and polarization induced charge at the
heterointerface arising from the lattice mismatch and difference in spontaneous polarization between the GaN
absorption and the SiC multiplication regions. In this paper we report on the role of defect density and interface
charge on the performance of GaN/SiC SAM APDs through simulations of the electric field profile within this
device structure and experimental results on fabricated APDs. These devices exhibit a low dark current below 0.1
nA before avalanche breakdown and high avalanche gain in excess of 1000 with active areas 25x larger than that of
state of the art GaN APDs. A responsivity of 4 A/W was measured at 365 nm when biased near avalanche
breakdown.
Polarimetry is a well-developed technique in radar based applications and stand-off spectroscopic analysis at optical
frequencies. Extension to terahertz (THz) frequencies could provide a breakthrough in spectroscopic methods since the
THz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum provides unique spectral signatures of chemicals and biological molecules,
useful for filling gaps in detection and identification. Distinct advantages to a THz polarimeter include enhanced image-contrast
based on differences in scattering of horizontally and vertically polarized radiation, and measurements of the
dielectric response, and thereby absorption, of materials in reflection in real-time without the need of a reference
measurement. To implement a prototype THz polarimeter, we have developed low profile, high efficiency metamaterial-based
polarization control components at THz frequencies. Static metamaterial-based half- and quarter-wave plates
operating at 0.35 THz frequencies were modeled and fabricated, and characterized using a MHz resolution, continuous-wave
spectrometer operating in the 0.09 to 1.2 THz range to verify the design parameters such as operational frequency
and bandwidth, insertion loss, and phase shift. The operation frequency was chosen to be in an atmospheric window
(between water absorption lines) but can be designed to function at any frequency. Additional advantages of
metamaterial devices include their compact size, flexibility, and fabrication ease over large areas using standard
microfabrication processing. Wave plates in both the transmission and reflection mode were modeled, tested, and
compared. Data analysis using Jones matrix theory showed good agreement between experimental data and simulation.
Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements are used to study minority carrier lifetimes in type II superlattices (T2-
SL) to investigate the recombination mechanisms that currently limit their performance. Time-domain measurements of
the photoluminescence signal demonstrate multiple exponential decay, which provide information on background
carriers, acceptor states and trap states. The temperature dependence of the TRPL signal shows that the carrier lifetime is
dominated by Shockley-Read-Hall recombination. Optimal sample design for photoluminescence measurements is
discussed. Photoluminescence measurements and modeling of the time-resolved signal in device structures demonstrate
that the restoring current in a narrow bandgap junction dominates the carrier recombination, leading to measured
lifetimes that are ostensibly long. Experimental results are presented on T2-SL samples that vary the superlattice
absorber width and doping level. The effect of the interface type on carrier lifetime is investigated in multiple quantum
well structures. Variations of the absorber width, doping level and interface type are not found to strongly influence the
carrier lifetime.
Most III-V nitride light emitting diodes have an n-down structure with Ga polarity. In such a device, the active layer is
grown on top of the n-cladding layer and the p-type cladding layer is grown on top of the active layer. We have analyzed
the band structure of such a device and found a reduced effective conduction band barrier due to the positive
spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization charge, resulting in large electron overshoot and necessitating the introduction
of the commonly employed electron blocking layer. On the other hand, the polarization charge at the corresponding
interface for a p-side down device with Ga polarity is negative, resulting in a significant enhancement of the electron
barrier and the existence of a 2D hole gas near the interface. These are beneficial to the performance of single
heterojunction LEDs.
KEYWORDS: Spectroscopy, Terahertz radiation, Absorption, Laser stabilization, Control systems, Signal to noise ratio, Chemical detection, Toxic industrial chemicals, Heterodyning, Detection and tracking algorithms
Goodrich has been developing a high resolution, broad band spectrometer that operates in the Terahertz (THz) region of the spectrum with the intent of performing chemical detection. THz spectroscopy exploits rotational resonances for detection of gas phase compounds. High resolution THz spectroscopy can improve detection and identification through increased probability of detection and reduced false alarms. The Goodrich THz spectrometer is based upon CW photomixer technology in a heterodyne configuration. The current Goodrich design offers continuous tunability across a 0.1 THz to 1.2 THz frequency range. One of the unique aspects of the Goodrich spectrometer is laser system control that has demonstrated difference frequency line widths on the order of 1.5 MHz with stability measured over long time scales. Absolute frequency accuracy is of the order of 4 MHz. The spectrometer design enables high THz energy densities with narrow line widths tunable over a broad spectrum. The system has demonstrated SNR better than a cryogenically cooled hot electron bolometer. This capability allows the Goodrich system to accurately determine absorption signatures of multiple chemicals with exceptional performance. Goodrich has completed initial system testing and verified performance. Initial tests were completed to determine SNR of the heterodyne photomixer transceiver. System performance was also verified for laser line width, stability, and repeatability. The spectrometer was tested against various toxic industrial chemicals. Preliminary data for HCN, HCl, NH3, and SO2 is presented.
We report the structural and optical properties of AlxGa1-xN/AlyGa1-yN quantum wells (QWs) structures grown by gas
source molecular beam epitaxy with ammonia on sapphire (0001) substrates. QWs structures consist of five pairs of
AlyGa1-yN, 0.3xGa1-xN, 0.55
We have developed AlGaN films deposited by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE) that can possess enhanced internal quantum efficiency (> 30%) due to the presence of nanometer scale compositional inhomogeneities (NCI-AlGaN) within a wider bandgap matrix that inhibit nonradiative recombination through the large defect densities (> 1010cm-2) in these materials. Time- and temperature-dependent studies of the UV photoluminescence from these NCI AlGaN films as a function of growth conditions have been performed with the goal of optimizing the emission efficiency. Measurements of radiative and nonradiative lifetimes in conjunction with modeling indicate that the NCI AlGaN inherently combines inhibition of nonradiative recombination with reduction of radiative lifetime, providing a potentially higher efficiency UV emitter active region.
Optical characterization of nitride semiconductors and device testing of ultraviolet emitters and detectors comprised of these materials are employed in addressing the challenges faced in developing semiconductor-based, compact, low-cost, low-power-consumption biodetection systems. Comparison of time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) on UV LED wafers prior to fabrication with subsequent device testing indicate that the best performance is attained from active regions that exhibit both reduced nonradiative recombination due to saturation of traps associated with point and extended defects and concomitant lowering of radiative lifetime with increasing carrier density. Temperature and intensity dependent TRPL measurements on a new material, AlGaN containing nanoscale compositional inhomogeneities (NCI), show that it inherently combines inhibition of nonradiative recombination with reduction of radiative lifetime, providing a potentially higher efficiency UV emitter active region. In addition, testing of GaN avalanche photodiodes (APDs) on low defect density bulk GaN substrates indicates that for the first time GaN APDs with diameters as large as 50 microns exhibit reproducible gain greater than 1000. These results show promise for replacement of photomultipliers in biodetection systems.
Femtosecond time-resolved and continuous wave optical techniques have been used to study fundamental nanoscale materials issues in III-nitride semiconductors relevant to the realization of high quality ultraviolet light emitters and photodetectors. It is demonstrated that compositional fluctuations in AlGaN active regions grown by plasma-assisted MBE can be employed to create nanoscale spatial localization that enhances the luminescence efficiency and PL lifetime (300-400 ps) despite high defect density (>1010cm-2) by inhibiting movement of carriers to nonradiative sites. Significant enhancement of this phenomenon has been obtained in a DH LED structure grown on a lower defect density (mid-109cm-2) AlGaN template, with PL lifetime increased by nearly a factor of two, corresponding to a defect density in the mid-107 cm-2 range, and only a 3.3 times drop in PL intensity when the temperature is raised from 12 K to room temperature, suggesting up to ~ 30% internal quantum efficiency. Femtosecond, time-resolved electroabsorption measurements of nanoscale high field transport in an AlGaN/GaN heterojunction p-i-n diode show an onset of velocity overshoot at an electric field of ~105 kV/cm for transport in the c-direction of wurzite GaN. Theoretical Monte Carlo calculations employing a full band structure indicate that at fields below ~300 kV/cm this velocity overshoot is associated primarily with band nonparabolicity in the Γ valley related to a negative electron effective mass. In addition, these calculations show that similar behavior is not expected for transport in the basal plane until much higher fields are attained, with important implications for the design of high power, high frequency electronics and avalanche photodetectors.
We have used subpicosecond time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) downconversion techniques to study the interplay of carrier localization and radiative and nonradiative processes in the active regions of light emitting III-nitride semiconductor ultraviolet optical sources, with the goal of identifying potential approaches that will lead to higher radiative efficiency. Comparison of TRPL in (In)AlGaN multiple quantum well active regions indicate that for addition of only 0.01 In content the PL decay time in an InAlGaN MQW is more than double that in an AlGaN MQW designed to emit at the same wavelength (360 nm), thus indicating the importance of indium for improvement of material quality, most likely through the suppression of point defects. This result is further underscored by TRPL data on 320 nm InAlGaN MQW active regions, which exhibit longer PL lifetimes than expected for growth on GaN templates with dislocation densities in the mid-108cm-2 range. While the PL lifetimes in these InAlGaN MQWs improve for growth on lower dislocation density HVPE bulk GaN substrates, a similar phenomenon is not observed for deposition on nearly dislocation-free bulk AlN substrates, suggesting that defect generation in the MQWs associated with lattice mismatch or AlN surface preparation may play an important role. The pump intensity dependence of the time zero signal and the TRPL decays in the MQWs implies that internal electric field-induced recombination through the barriers and interface states plays an important role in the radiative efficiency of quantum well active regions for c-axis oriented materials and devices. The effect of these internal electric fields can be mitigated through the use of nonpolar MQWs. The combination of more intense time-integrated PL spectra and shorter PL lifetimes with decreasing well width in GaN/AlGaN MQWs grown on a-plane LEO GaN for low pump intensity suggests that the radiative lifetime becomes shorter due to the accompanying increase in exciton binding energy and oscillator strength at smaller well width in these high quality samples. Finally, it is demonstrated that compositional fluctuations in AlGaN active regions grown by plasma-assisted MBE can be employed to create spatial localization that enhances the luminescence efficiency and PL lifetime (300-400 ps) despite high defect density (>1010cm-2) by inhibiting movement of carriers to nonradiative sites. Significant enhancement of this phenomenon has been obtained in a DH LED structure grown on a lower defect density (mid-109cm-2) AlGaN template, with PL lifetime increased by nearly a factor of two, corresponding to a defect density in the mid-107 cm-2 range, and only a 3.3 times drop in PL intensity when the temperature is raised from 12 K to room temperature, suggesting up to ~ 30% internal quantum efficiency.
In this paper we report on the fabrication and characterization of GaN, AlGaN, and AlN layers grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The layers were grown on 2-inch and 4-inch sapphire and 2-inch silicon carbide substrates. Thickness of the GaN layers was varied from 2 to 80 microns. Surface roughness, Rms, for the smoothest GaN layers was less than 0.5 nm, as measured by AFM using 10 μm x 10 μm scans. Background Nd-Na concentration for undoped GaN layers was less than 1x1016 cm-3. For n-type GaN layers doped with Si, concentration Nd-Na was controlled from 1016 to 1019 cm-3. P-type GaN layers were fabricated using Mg doping with concentration Na-Nd ranging from 4x1016 to 3x1018 cm-3, for various samples. Zn doping also resulted in p-type GaN formation with concnetration ND-NA in the 1017 cm-3 range. UV transmission, photoluminescence, and crystal structure of AlGaN layers with AlN concentration up to 85 mole.% were studied. Dependence of optical band gap on AlGaN alloy composition was measured for the whole composition range. Thick (up to 75 microns) crack-free AlN layers were grown on SiC substrates. Etch pit density for such thick AlN layers was in the 107 cm-2 range.
We report on temporal response measurements of InGaAs metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors (MSM-PDs) under high-illumination conditions. The peak current efficiency of the MSM-PDs decreases as the optical pulse energy increases due to space-charge-screening effects. The screening effects begin to occur at an optical pulse energy as low as 1.0 pJ/pulse, as predicted by a recent two-dimensional model. The fall time and full width at half maximum of the impulse response increase as the optical pulse energy increases and decrease as the bias voltage increases. For optical pulse energies between 1.0 pJ and 100 pJ, the rise time displays a U-shaped behavior as the bias voltage increases. This may be associated with the shape of the electron velocity-field characteristic in conjunction with screening of the dark field by optically generated carriers.
We have used femtosecond time-resolved reflectivity and luminescence downconversion techniques to study carrier relaxation, localization, and recombination in III-nitride semiconductors. Intensity dependent, frequency degenerate pump-probe reflectivity measurements employing near-bandgap excitation provide information about initial carrier localization, subsequent ultrafast heat generation due to nonradiative recombination or trapping in states deep in the bandgap, and photoinduced absorption associated with excitation of carriers from localized states to the bands. These phenomena and their experimental signatures are illustrated for Al0.25Ga0.75N and Al0.4Ga0.6N samples, in which the photoinduced change in reflectivity ΔR decays faster with decreasing intensity and changes sign, with faster decays for a given intensity in the higher Al content sample. This behavior suggests that in these cases the dynamics are governed by trapping at localized states associated with alloy fluctuations that become deeper and more numerous as the Al content increases. Within this context the sign change and subsequent temporal evolution of ΔR may be indicative of ultrafast heat generation and/or photoinduced absorption, depending upon A1 content. Nondegenerate pump-probe reflectivity experiments designed to separate the electronic contributions of the ΔR decays from the slower thermal components by using a sub-bandgap probe are used to measure carrier lifetime in GaN. Comparison with data obtained from frequency degenerate experiment sunder identical excitation conditions employing a near bandgap probe indicate that in the frequency degenerate case the decay times in ΔR are inflated due to the presence of an additional long-lived component with the same sign as the electronic contribution. The sign and power dependence of this slow decay suggest that it may be associated with screening of a surface electric field by carriers trapped in deep states. In addition, a new technique is presented that employs luminescence downconversion using an ultrashort gating pulse to enable the characterization of UV light emission from III-nitride semiconductors with subpicosecond temporal resolution. This technique also allows one to measure PL rise times and fast components of multiple decays in the subsequent time evolution of the PL intensity. Comparison of luminescence emission intensity and lifetime in GaN and AlGaN with ~0.1 Al content grown homoepitaxially on GaN templates with the same quantities measured in heteroepitaxial layers grown on sapphire indicate significant improvement in the homoepitaxial layers due to reduction in defect density. Fast (<15 ps) initial decays in the AlGaN are attributed to localization in shallow traps associated with alloy fluctuations, with subsequent recombination through gap states.
We present an optically-detected time-of-flight technique with femtosecond resolution that monitors the change in the electroabsorption due to charge transport in a p-i-n diode, and show how it may be used to determine the electron transit time, velocity-field characteristic, and transient electron velocity overshoot in GaN at room temperature. In a GaN homojunction p-i-n diode, the peak electron velocity of 1.9x107 cm/s , corresponding to a transit time of ~2.5 ps across the 0.53 micrometers depletion region, is attained at ~ 225 kV/cm. The steady-state velocity-field characteristic is in qualitative agreement with theoretical calculations. A measurement of the high field transient electron velocity overshoot was also performed using a semi-transparent p-contact AlGaN/GaN heterojunction p-i-n diode. Transient electron velocity overshoot is observed at fields as low as ~100 kV/cm, with the peak transient electron velocity becoming larger with increasing electric field until a maximum of 7.25x107 cm/s is observed within the first 200 fs after photoexcitation at a field of 320 kV/cm. At higher fields, the measurement of the peak velocity is limited by the 80 fs duration of the pulses, but the increase in transit time with increasing field suggests the onset of negative differential resistance. Theoretical Monte Carlo calculations incorporating a GaN full-zone band structure show that although the peak steady-state velocity occurs at ~200 kV/cm, the ensuing negative differential resistance region of the velocity-field curve is not initially associated with intervalley transfer, as the majority of electrons do not attain sufficient energy to effect this transfer until they are subjected to much higher fields (>325kV/cm). Insight into this behavior can be gleaned from the band nonparabolicity deduced from the constant energy surfaces in the (Gamma) valley, which shows that the effective mass in the c-direction can be viewed as becoming larger at high k-values. This larger effective mass may play a role in velocity overshoot by reducing the velocity and momentum relaxation time at high k-values in the (Gamma) valley. Theoretical calculations employing a semiclassical transport model in the collisionless regime confirm the importance of this nonparabolicity for the determination of the temporal shape of the transient velocity overshoot curves.
We have used femtosecond time-resolved optical techniques to study fundamental materials issues in III-nitride semiconductors relevant to the realization of high quality ultraviolet photodetectors. Intensity dependent pump-probe reflectivity and transmission measurements have been employed in the investigation of carrier dynamics in AlGaN alloys with Al content ranging from ~0.15 to 0.4. For the Al0.15Ga0.85N sample, the intensity dependence of the (Delta) R decay suggests that at high intensity the shallow traps are saturated and ultrafast nonradiative recombination dominates the carrier dynamics. For the Al0.25Ga.75N and Al0.4Ga0.6N samples (Delta) R decays faster with decreasing intensity and changes sign. Moreover, the decays are faster for a given in tensity in the higher Al content sample. This behavior suggests that in these cases the dynamics are governed by trapping at localized states that become deeper and more numerous as the Al content increases. Within this context the sign change in (Delta) R in A;0.4Ga0.6N may be indicative of the onset of photoinduced absorption associated with the excitation of carriers from the localized states to the bands, which has also been observed in time-resolved transmission measurements. This localization may be associated with alloy fluctuations that broaden the absorption edge of the material and degrade the long-wavelength performance of photodetectors. In addition, time-resolved electroabsorption measurements on an AlGaN/GaN heterojunction p-i-n photodiode have been used to study the transient electron velocity overshoot for transport in the c-direction in wurzite GaN. The velocity overshoot is observed at fields well below the field at which the calculated peak steady-state velocity occurs, and it increases with electric field up to ~320 kV/cm, at which field a peak velocity of 7.25x107 cm/s is attained within the first 200 fs after photoexcitation. These results are consistent with theoretical Monte Carlo calculations incorporating a GaN full-zone band structure, which show that because of band nonparabolicity in the (Gamma) valley the majority of electrons do not attain sufficient energy to effect intervalley transfer until they are subjected to higher fields (>325kV/cm). This behavior may have important implications for avalanche photodiodes, for which electrons are promoted to higher lying bands for participating in the avalanche process.
We present an optically-detected time-of-flight technique with femtosecond resolution that monitors the change in the electroabsorption due to charge transport in a p-i-n diode, and show how it may be used to determine the electron transit time, velocity overshoot, and velocity-field characteristic in GaN at room temperature. In a GaN homojunction p-i-n diode, the transit time drops with increasing electric field E in the intermediate field regime (50 - 100 kV/cm), and the electron velocity possesses a weak, quasi-linear dependence on E attributed to polar optical phonon scattering. In the high field regime the transit time and the electron velocity gradually become independent of E. The peak electron velocity of 1.9 X 107 cm/s, corresponding to a transit time of approximately 2.5 ps across the 0.53 micrometers depletion region, is attained at approximately 225 kV/cm. The experimental results are in qualitative agreement with theoretical steady-state velocity-field characteristics found in the literature. A measurement of the high field (approximately 300 kV/cm) transient electron velocity overshoot was also performed using a semi-transparent p-contact AlGaN/GaN heterojunction p-i-n diode. The peak electron velocity of 6.25 X 107 cm/s attained within the first 200 fs decays within 1 ps to a steady-state velocity of 3.2 X 107 cm/s in this improved device.
The detection of light in the UV portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is critical to a number of applications. Until very recently, the primary means of light detection in the UV was with either silicon photodiodes or photomultiplier tubes, both of which have serious drawbacks. With the advent of optoelectronic devices fabricated in the ternary alloy of AlGaN, the possibility exists to produce high-performance solid-state photodetector arrays sensitive to the visible-blind and solar-blind regions of the spectrum. In this paper, we discuss recent advances in the area of UV photodetectors fabricated on GaN and AlGaN. Various device structures are presented, and their peculiar characteristics discussed in terms of responsivity, dark current, gain, temporal response, and frequency response. Models describing the current transport mechanisms and the quantum efficiencies of these photodiodes are discussed. Special emphasis is given to novel device structures that improve on the temporal, spectral, and electrical characteristics of AlGaN-based photodiodes. Specifically, results for a transparent recessed-window p-i- n device, and a semi-transparent electrode device structure are described. Finally, the results of a separate absorption, charge, and multiplication avalanche photodetector are presented. This device structure resulted in a stable gain of > 10 at a reverse bias of approximately 40 V.
Femtosecond nonlinear optical techniques have been employed in the study of carrier dynamics and transport in UV detector materials. Visible femtosecond pulses derived from the signal beam of a 250 kHz regenerative amplifier-pumped optical parametric amplifier were frequency doubled to obtain pulses tunable from 250 nm to 375 nm. Time-resolved reflectivity experiments indicate that the room-temperature carrier lifetime in GaN grown by double lateral epitaxial overgrowth is about 3 times longer than that of GaN grown on sapphire without benefit of this technique. The electron velocity-field characteristics and saturation velocity in GaN have been obtained form time-resolved studies of electroabsorption in a GaN p-i-n diode. The peak steady- state velocity of 1.9 X 107 cm/s in this device occurs at 225 kV/cm. Time-resolved transmission measurements have been used to monitor ultrafast carrier relaxation phenomena in a thin AlGaN layer with bandgap in the solar blind region of the spectrum. Excitation intensity and wavelength dependent studies of the photoinduced bleaching decays suggest that they are primarily governed by trapping in a high density of sub-bandgap defect levels.
We report a novel approach to normal incidence multiple quantum well light modulators. The quantum-confined Stark effect is utilized to tune the polarization rotation and phase retardation created by a thermally induced in-plane anisotropic strain. An exceedingly high contrast ratio of 4800:1 is demonstrated for a normally-on device at room temperature.
Lift-off thin films of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum wells (MQW) have been bonded to different transparent substrates that possess either direction-independent or direction-dependent thermal expansion. Duet to the differential thermal expansion between the thin film and the much thicker substrate, the MQW is under a thermally induced in-plane strain. By proper choice of the substrate crystallographic orientation and bonding temperature various forms of in-plane anisotropic strain have been realized. A detailed study of the anisotropy in the complex refractive index resulting from the in-plane anisotropic strain is presented. The electric field dependence of the anisotropic absorption and birefringence has also been studied.
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