Observing visible-range photoluminescence in GaAs nanowires modified by laser irradiation

Abstract

We study the structural and chemical transformations induced by focused laser beam in GaAs nanowires with an axial zinc-blende/wurtzite (ZB/WZ) heterostructure. The experiments are performed using a combination of transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman scattering, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. For both the components of heterostructure, laser irradiation under atmospheric air is found to produce a double surface layer which is composed of crystalline arsenic and of amorphous GaOx. The latter compound is responsible for the appearance of a peak at 1.76 eV in photoluminescence spectra of GaAs nanowires. Under an increased laser power density, due to sample heating, evaporation of the surface crystalline arsenic and formation of β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals proceed on the surface of the zinc-blende part of nanowire. The formed nanocrystals reveal a photoluminescence band in a visible range of 1.7–2.4 eV. At the same power density for wurtzite part of the nanowire, total amorphization with the formation of β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals occurs. Observed transformation of WZ-GaAs to β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals presents an available way for the creation of axial and radial heterostructures ZB-GaAs/β-Ga2O3 for optoelectronic and photonic applications.