Spinodal decomposition range of AlxGa1−xNyAs1−y alloys

Abstract

We have described a spinodal decomposition range of the low N-content AlxGa1−xNyAs1−y alloys grown on GaAs(001). In our analysis we take into account transformations of the bonds and strain, coherency strain, and elastic energies. The alloys are considered in the simple solution approximation. The strain energy is presented by the interaction parameters between the compounds estimated in the valence-force field model. The spinodal decomposition range of AlxGa1−xNyAs1−y alloys with compositions 0⩽x⩽0.4, y=0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05 are demonstrated up to 1000 °C. It is shown that Al and N increase dramatically the temperature of the phase separation.