First principles investigations of structural and optoelectronic properties of cubic MgxZn1−xSeyTe1−y quaternary semiconductor alloys using FP-LAPW approach

Abstract

Structural and optoelectronic properties of technologically important MgxZn1−xSeyTe1−y quaternary alloys are calculated employing DFT-based FP-LAPW approach. Computations of exchange–correlation potentials are performed with PBE-GGA for structural properties and both the mBJ and EV-GGA for optoelectronic properties. Each specimen within MgxZn1−xSeyTe1−y system is a direct band gap (Γ–Γ) semiconductor. At each cationic (Mg) concentration x, lattice constant decreases, while bulk modulus and band gap increase nonlinearly with increase in anionic (Se) concentration y. Again, nonlinear increase in lattice constant and band gap, while decrease in bulk modulus is observed with increase in cationic concentration x at each anionic concentrations y. Calculated band gap bowing for few ternary alloy systems are in good agreement with corresponding experimental data. The calculated contour maps for lattice constants and energy band gaps would be very useful for designing new quaternary alloys with desired optoelectronic properties. Optical properties of the said specimens within MgxZn1−xSeyTe1−y quaternary system show several interesting features. Composition dependence of each calculated zero-frequency limit shows opposite trend, while each calculated critical point shows similar trend of composition dependence of band gap. Finally, suitability of ZnTe and InAs as substrates for the growth of several zinc-blende MgxZn1−xSeyTe1−yquaternary alloys has been investigated.