The effect of growth interruptions at the interfaces in epitaxially grown GaInAsSb/AlGaAsSb multiple-quantum-wells studied with high-resolution x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence

Abstract

Molecular beam epitaxy has been used to grow GaInAsSb/AlGaAsSb multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structures. Growth has been interrupted at the interfaces between the wells and the barriers. During the growth interruptions, the interfaces have been exposed to Sbx(x=1, 2) and As2 fluxes. The structures have been studied using high-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and photoluminescence (PL). The As content in the interface layers has been found to have a large impact on the HRXRD curves. The As content in the interface layers has been determined by simulation of HRXRD rocking curves. We also show how highly strained interfaces cause more satellite peaks to appear in HRXRD rocking curves. PL spectra show that interrupting growth at the interfaces between wells and barriers and exposing the interfaces to an Sb soak result in flatter interfaces.