Hybrid strain-coupled multilayer SK and SML InAs/GaAs quantum dot heterostructure: Enabling higher absorptivity and strain minimization for enhanced optical and structural characteristics

Abstract

The size and shape of self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) in the top layer of a strain-coupled multilayer Stranski-Krastanov (SK) type QD heterostructure is decided by the effect of strain from the bottom QD layers along with the compressive strain through InAs/GaAs interface. A novel approach is used in this article to grow the heterostructures such that QDs from one layer to the other are heterogeneously coupled resulting in reduced cumulative strain, which helps in formation of defect free and uniform dots even for 10 strain-coupled SK QD layers. Heterostructures with strain-coupled single- ( × 1), bi- ( × 2), tri- ( × 3), penta- ( × 5), hepta- ( × 7) and deca- ( × 10) layer SK QDs are grown employing a growth mechanism on six stack sub-monolayer (SML) type QDs, considering the individual advantages of SK and SML QDs. Full width half maximum (FWHM) calculated from the low temperature (19 K) photoluminescence (PL) are 50, 52, 54, 55, 56 and 50 nm for single, bi, tri, penta, hepta and deca-layer SK QD stack respectively, which shows uniform dot size distribution up to deca-layer SK QD structure because of the adapted growth mechanism. The activation energies calculated from temperature dependent PL are 244, 281, 299, 275, 288 and 397 meV for single, bi, tri, penta, hepta and deca-layers respectively, which aids that the strain-coupled deca-layer SK QD heterostructure has the highest activation energy compared to other strain-coupled multilayer SK QD structures. These properties make the deca-layer SK QD structure as the optimum device for quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs), which could operate at higher temperatures with improved performance parameters. High resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) shows a defect free heterostructure with minimized hydrostatic strain and homogeneous dot size distribution for the strain-coupled deca-layer SK QD structure. Thus, the adapted growth mechanism along with heterogeneous coupling of SK and SML QDs facilitates higher absorption efficiency, increased carrier lifetime and better quantum confinement, making it a promising design to be used in intermediate band solar cells (IBSC) and QDIPs, where multilayer QDs are needed so as to improve the device performance.