Interface structural defects and photoluminescence properties of epitaxial GaN and AlGaN/GaN layers grown on sapphire

Abstract

Overall characterization of the GaN and AlGaN/GaN epitaxial layers by X-ray diffractometry and optical spectral analysis is carried out. The layers are grown by metalloorganic gas-phase epitaxy on (0001)-oriented single crystal sapphire wafers. The components of strains and the density of dislocations are determined. The effects of strains and dislocations on the photoluminescence intensity and spectra are studied. The results allow better understanding of the nature and mechanisms of the formation of defects in the epitaxial AlGaN/GaN heterostructures.