Peculiarities of nucleation and growth of InGaN nanowires on SiC/Si substrates by HVPE

Abstract

The growth of InGaN layers on hybrid SiC/Si substrates with orientations (100), (110), and (111) by the HVPE method was studied at temperatures that wittingly exceed the temperature of InN decomposition onto nitrogen atoms and metallic In (1000oC). On substrates with orientations (110) and (111), the formation of InGaN whisker nanocrystals was observed. The shape and growth mechanisms of nanocrystals were investigated. It is shown that nanocrystals nucleate on the (111) surface only inside V-defects formed at the points where screw dislocations exit onto the surface. On the (110) surface, nanocrystals are formed only on pedestals that arise during the film growth. An explanation is given for the difference in the growth mechanisms of nanocrystals on substrates of different orientations. Keywords: InGaN, heterostructures, SiC on Si, silicon, whisker nanocrystals, nanostructures, atomic substitution method