Investigation of microstructure and V-defect formation in InxGa1−xN/GaN MQW grown using temperature-gradient metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Temperature-gradient metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) was used to deposit InxGa1−xN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) structures with a concentration gradient of indium across the wafer. These MQW structures were deposited on low defect density (2×108 cm−2) GaN template layers for investigation of microstructural properties and V-defect (pinhole) formation. Room temperature (RT) photoluminescence (PL) and photomodulated transmission (PT) were used for optical characterization, which show a systematic decrease in emission energy for a decrease in growth temperature. Triple-axis x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy were used to obtain microstructural properties of different regions across the wafer. Results show that there is a decrease in crystal quality and an increase in V-defect formation with increasing indium concentration. A direct correlation was found between V-defect density and growth temperature due to increased strain and indium segregation for increasing indium concentration.