GaN nanowires on Si (111) substrates via molecular beam epitaxy: growth, electronic and optical properties

Abstract

In this report, we study influence of the Si (111) substrate surface preparation on the growth, electronic and optical properties of the GaN nanowires (NWs) obtained via plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The substrate preparation varied from bare Si (111) surface and its deliberately nitridated counterpart to growth on AlN and Ga2O3 buffer layers and Ga droplets seeding layers. Statistical data on the morphology of the synthesized arrays was obtained and analyzed. The most homogeneous NW array in terms of length distribution was obtained on AlN buffer layer. It was demonstrated that the NWs surface density drastically depends on the surface preparation method. Electrical properties of the arrays were studied via analysis of volt-ampere characteristics and optical properties were investigated with photoluminescence. The highest conductivity and optical response were obtained with AlN buffer layer.