SiGe Quantum Research Articles

Nanoheteroepitaxy of Ge and SiGe on Si: role of composition and capping on quantum dot photoluminescence.

We investigate the nanoheteroepitaxy of SiGe and Ge quantum dots (QDs) grown on nanotips substrates realized in Si(001) wafers. Due to the lattice strain compliance, enabled by the nanometric size of the tip and the limited dot/substrate interface area, which helps to reduce dot/substrate interdiffusion, the strain and SiGe composition in the QDs could be decoupled. This demonstrates a key advantage of the nanoheteroepitaxy over the Stranski-Krastanow growth mechanism. Nearly semi-spherical, defect-free, ∼100 nm wide SiGe QDs with different Ge contents were successfully grown on the nanotips with high selectivity and size uniformity. On the dots, thin dielectric capping layers were deposited, improving the optical properties by the passivation of surface states. Intense photoluminescence was measured from all samples investigated with emission energy, intensity, and spectral linewidth dependent on the SiGe composition of the QDs and the different capping layers. Radiative recombination occurs in the QDs, and its energy matches the results of band-structure calculations that consider strain compliance between the QD and the tip. The nanotips arrangement and the selective growth of QDs allow to studying the PL emission from only 3-4 QDs, demonstrating a bright emission and the possibility of selective addressing. These findings will support the design of optoelectronic devices based on CMOS-compatible emitters.

Fabrication and Characterization of Four-State Inverter Utilizing Quantum Dot Gate Field-Effect Transistors (QDGFETS)

This paper presents the experimental results of nMOS quantum dot gate field-effect transistor (QDG-FET) based four-state inverter fabricated and tested with Si/SiO2 and Ge/GeO2 quantum dots. The site-specific self-assembly of SiOx-cladded Si and GeOx-cladded Ge quantum dot layers in the gate region implements both the driver and load FETs in enhancement nMOS inverters. A four-state inverter will allow the reduction of FET count in logic block in microprocessors.

SI/GE Quantum Dot Channel FETs for Multi-Bit Computing

This paper presents quantum dot channel (QDC) FETs in quantum wire and coupled quantum dot configurations for cryogenic operation with multi-state operation. It also describes gate-all-around (GAA) quantum dot channel (QDC) FETs that exhibit potential multi-state characteristics at room temperature. FETs with cladded Si and Ge quantum dot layers as a transport channel have been fabricated. The formation of a quantum dot superlattice (QDSL) when SiOx-cladded Si and/or GeOx-cladded Ge quantum dots (QD) are assembled results in mini-energy sub-bands in the conduction and valence band. The intra-mini-energy band transitions results in significant changes in the drain current when gate and/or drain voltages are varied. This novel feature provides a pathway for 16-/32-state logic in CMOS-X configuration. The gate-defined Si quantum dot FETs, comprising of tunnel barrier coupled, have been reported for quantum computing at cryogenic temperatures.

Light emission from ion-implanted SiGe quantum dots grown on Si substrates

We report on electroluminescence spectroscopy experiments demonstrating room-temperature light emission from heavily alloyed SiGe quantum dots, for which the light emission properties are enhanced by incorporated split-[110] self-interstitials. The quantum dots are formed during molecular beam epitaxy deposition of Si0.6Ge0.4 alloys on n-doped silicon-on-insulator substrates. To create the split-[110] self-interstitials the quantum dots were co-implantated in-situ using Si and Ge ions. The hybrid emitters were further embedded into the intrinsic region of a p-i-n diode structure to enable electrical pumping. Similar to previous theoretical results on unstrained Ge-based quantum dots containing these defects, radiative direct transitions are possible for these SiGe light emitters. However, in SiGe dots these transitions are not at the Brillouin zone center. Instead, first-principles calculations indicate that the presence of the split-[110] self-interstitial defect in strained and unstrained SiGe can lead to optically direct transitions in momentum space in the X-direction of the Brillouin zone.

Luminescent Properties of Ordered Arrays of Silicon Disk-Like Resonators with Embedded GeSi Quantum Dots

Luminescent Properties of Ordered Arrays of Silicon Disk-Like Resonators with Embedded GeSi Quantum Dots

Collective Modes in the Luminescent Response of Si Nanodisk Chains with Embedded GeSi Quantum Dots

In this paper, we study the effects of GeSi quantum dot emission coupling with the collective modes in the linear chains of Si disk resonators positioned on an SiO2 layer. The emission spectra as a function of the chain period and disk radius were investigated using micro-photoluminescence (micro-PL) spectroscopy. At optimal parameters of the disk chains, two narrow PL peaks, with quality factors of around 190 and 340, were observed in the range of the quantum dot emission. A numerical analysis of the mode composition allowed us to associate the observed peaks with two collective modes with different electric field polarization relative to the chain line. The theoretical study demonstrates the change of the far-field radiation pattern with increasing length of the disk chain. The intensive out-of-plane emission was explained by the appearance of the dipole mode contribution. The obtained results can be used for the development of Si-based near-infrared light sources.

Enhancement of persistent currents and magnetic fields in a two dimensional quantum ring

We present the study of the SiGe quantum ring (QR) modeled by an anharmonic axially symmetric potential with a centrifugal core in the effective mass approximation. We show how the femtosecond laser pulses (FLPs) can be used efficiently for controlling the induced current and magnetic field. We have compared the strength of induced currents and magnetic fields with and without pulsed laser which shows a substantial change. The spin-orbit interaction (SOI) and Zeeman energy show a massive impact on the generation and enhancement of these induced current and magnetic fields. These induced currents and magnetic fields have many applications in interdisciplinary areas. We have shown that the SOI presence with the FLP fields while competing with the confinement strength lowers the strength of the induced current and field.

Emission Enhancement of Ge/Si Quantum Dots in Hybrid Structures with Subwavelength Lattice of Al Nanodisks.

The effects of resonance interaction of plasmonic and photonic modes in hybrid metal-dielectric structures with square Al nanodisk lattices coupled with a Si waveguide layer were investigated using micro-photoluminescence (micro-PL) spectroscopy. As radiation sources, GeSi quantum dots were embedded in the waveguide. A set of narrow PL peaks superimposed on the broad bands were observed in the range of quantum dot emissions. At optimal parameters of Al nanodisks lattices, almost one order increasing of PL intensity was obtained. The experimental PL spectra are in good agreement with results of theoretical calculations. The realization of high-quality bound states in the continuum was confirmed by a comparative analysis of the experimental spectra and theoretical dispersion dependences. The results demonstrated the perspectives of these type structures for a flat band realization and supporting the slow light.

Single SiGe quantum dot emission deterministically enhanced in a high-Q photonic crystal resonator.

We report the resonantly enhanced radiative emission from a single SiGe quantum dot (QD), which is deterministically embedded into a bichromatic photonic crystal resonator (PhCR) at the position of its largest modal electric field by a scalable method. By optimizing our molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth technique, we were able to reduce the amount of Ge within the whole resonator to obtain an absolute minimum of exactly one QD, accurately positioned by lithographic methods relative to the PhCR, and an otherwise flat, a few monolayer thin, Ge wetting layer (WL). With this method, record quality (Q) factors for QD-loaded PhCRs up to Q ∼ 105 are achieved. A comparison with control PhCRs on samples containing a WL but no QDs is presented, as well as a detailed analysis of the dependence of the resonator-coupled emission on temperature, excitation intensity, and emission decay after pulsed excitation. Our findings undoubtedly confirm a single QD in the center of the resonator as a potentially novel photon source in the telecom spectral range.

SiGe quantum wells implementation in Si based nanowires for solar cells applications

This study focuses on modelling and optimizing a new Si nanowire solar cell containing a SiGe/Si quantum well. Quantum efficiency measurements show that the proposed structure has a higher energy absorption advantage and stronger than that of a solar cell based on a standard Si p-i-n nanowire. As a result, the insertion of 14 layers of SiGe/Si quantum well improved the short circuit current density and the efficiency by a factor of about 1.24 and 1.37, respectively. The best concentration and radius values obtained are x = 0.05 and r = 0.190 µm, respectively, with a strain of less than 1%.

1T DRAM with Raised SiGe Quantum Well for Sensing Margin Improvement

In this paper, a novel one-transistor dynamic random-access memory (1T DRAM) with a raised SiGe quantum well (QW) under one gate in the double-gate (DG) structure is proposed. The proposed structure can improve the poor performance of the retention time and sensing margin which is the problem of the conventional 1T DRAM. In write operation, the performance is improved through the band to band tunneling (BTBT) between body and drain and through valence band offset between SiGe and Si. Also by utilizing the physical barrier of oxide, read “1” retention time can be increased. The fabrication process is also proposed.

Electron energy relaxation in SiGe quantum wells

In this article, we theoretically calculated the hot electron energy relaxation induced by longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonons, longitudinal optical (LO) phonons and importantly two-transverse acoustic (2TA) phonons in two-dimensional SiGe quantum wells, by incorporating dynamic screening effect in LA phonon scattering and hot-phonon effect in LO phonon scattering mechanisms. At the low-temperature regime, the ELR is found to be dominated by LA phonons and at higher temperature ELR is dominated by LO phonons. In the intermediate temperature range, 2TA phonon scattering mechanism is very important and we incorporated in our calculations. The unscreened longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon due to deformation potential (DP) coupling is dominant over the screened acoustic piezoelectric phonon contribution. At higher temperatures, there is a crossover from ELR due to LA phonons to ELR due to longitudinal optical (LO) phonons with the cross-over temperature being about Te∼40K. The LA phonon screening effect and hot phonon effect is demonstrated to reduce ELR significantly. In the intermediate temperature range (30 K

Lattice deformation and potential effects on linear and nonlinear optical properties of doped SiGe quantum dot encapsulated in Si matrix

Lattice deformation and potential effects on linear and nonlinear optical properties of doped SiGe quantum dot encapsulated in Si matrix

Nanoscale imaging of phonon dynamics by electron microscopy

Spatially resolved vibrational mapping of nanostructures is indispensable to the development and understanding of thermal nanodevices1, modulation of thermal transport2 and novel nanostructured thermoelectric materials3–5. Through the engineering of complex structures, such as alloys, nanostructures and superlattice interfaces, one can significantly alter the propagation of phonons and suppress material thermal conductivity while maintaining electrical conductivity2. There have been no correlative experiments that spatially track the modulation of phonon properties in and around nanostructures due to spatial resolution limitations of conventional optical phonon detection techniques. Here we demonstrate two-dimensional spatial mapping of phonons in a single silicon–germanium (SiGe) quantum dot (QD) using monochromated electron energy loss spectroscopy in the transmission electron microscope. Tracking the variation of the Si optical mode in and around the QD, we observe the nanoscale modification of the composition-induced red shift. We observe non-equilibrium phonons that only exist near the interface and, furthermore, develop a novel technique to differentially map phonon momenta, providing direct evidence that the interplay between diffuse and specular reflection largely depends on the detailed atomistic structure: a major advancement in the field. Our work unveils the non-equilibrium phonon dynamics at nanoscale interfaces and can be used to study actual nanodevices and aid in the understanding of heat dissipation near nanoscale hotspots, which is crucial for future high-performance nanoelectronics.

Density-dependent two-dimensional optimal mobility in ultra-high-quality semiconductor quantum wells

We calculate using the Boltzmann transport theory the density-dependent mobility of two-dimensional (2D) electrons in GaAs, SiGe, and AlAs quantum wells as well as of 2D holes in GaAs quantum wells. The goal is to precisely understand the recently reported breakthrough in achieving a record 2D mobility for electrons confined in a GaAs quantum well. Comparing our theory with the experimentally reported electron mobility in GaAs quantum wells, we conclude that the mobility is limited by unintentional background random charged impurities at an unprecedented low concentration of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{13}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. We find that this same low level of background disorder should lead to 2D GaAs hole and 2D AlAs electron mobilities of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{7}$ and $\ensuremath{\sim}4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}/\text{V}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{s}$, respectively, which are much higher theoretical limits than the currently achieved experimental values in these systems. We therefore conclude that the current GaAs hole and AlAs electron systems are much dirtier than the state-of-the-art 2D GaAs electron systems. We present theoretical results for 2D mobility as a function of density, effective mass, quantum-well width, and valley degeneracy, comparing with experimental data.

Photoluminescence enhancement by deterministically site-controlled, vertically stacked SiGe quantum dots

The Si/SiGe heterosystem would be ideally suited for the realization of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible integrated light sources, but the indirect band gap, exacerbated by a type-II band offset, makes it challenging to achieve efficient light emission. We address this problem by strain engineering in ordered arrays of vertically close-stacked SiGe quantum dot (QD) pairs. The strain induced by the respective lower QD creates a preferential nucleation site for the upper one and strains the upper QD as well as the Si cap above it. Electrons are confined in the strain pockets in the Si cap, which leads to an enhanced wave function overlap with the heavy holes near the upper QD’s apex. With a thickness of the Si spacer between the stacked QDs below 5 nm, we separated the functions of the two QDs: The role of the lower one is that of a pure stressor, whereas only the upper QD facilitates radiative recombination of QD-bound excitons. We report on the design and strain engineering of the QD pairs via strain-dependent Schrödinger-Poisson simulations, their implementation by molecular beam epitaxy, and a comprehensive study of their structural and optical properties in comparison with those of single-layer SiGe QD arrays. We find that the double QD arrangement shifts the thermal quenching of the photoluminescence signal at higher temperatures. Moreover, detrimental light emission from the QD-related wetting layers is suppressed in the double-QD configuration.

Si-based light emitters synthesized with Ge+ ion bombardment

The photoluminescence (PL) of Ge/Si nanostructures synthesized by using Ge+ ion bombardment is studied. The structure represents a Si substrate with GeSi nanoclusters created by 80 keV Ge implantation with a fluence of ∼1015 ions/cm2 and subsequent thermal annealing. The PL measurements confirm the advantage of Ge/Si structures synthesized using Ge+ ion bombardment over the usual epitaxial structures with GeSi quantum dots. The presence of defects produced by Ge implantation results in pronounced PL at telecom wavelengths up to room temperature. The results provide a basis for creating efficient light emitters compatible with the existing Si technology.

Magnetic-Gradient-Free Two-Axis Control of a Valley Spin Qubit in SixGe1−x

Spins in SiGe quantum dots are promising candidates for quantum bits but are also challenging due to the valley degeneracy which could potentially cause spin decoherence and weak spin-orbital coupling. In this work we demonstrate that valley states can serve as an asset that enables two-axis control of a singlet-triplet qubit formed in a double quantum dot without the application of a magnetic field gradient. We measure the valley spectrum in each dot using magnetic field spectroscopy of Zeeman split triplet states. The interdot transition between ground states requires an electron to flip between valleys, which in turn provides a g-factor difference $\Delta g$ between two dots. This $\Delta g$ serves as an effective magnetic field gradient and allows for qubit rotations with a rate that increases linearly with an external magnetic field. We measured several interdot transitions and found that this valley introduced $\Delta g$ is universal and electrically tunable. This could potentially simplify scaling up quantum information processing in the SiGe platform by removing the requirement for magnetic field gradients which are difficult to engineer.

Metal–insulator transition and low-density phases in a strongly-interacting two-dimensional electron system

We review recent experimental results on the metal–insulator transition and low-density phases in strongly-interacting, low-disordered silicon-based two-dimensional electron systems. Special attention is given to the metallic state in ultra-clean SiGe quantum wells and to the evidence for a flat band at the Fermi level and a quantum electron solid.

Effect of Mismatched Electron-Hole Effective Masses on Superfluidity in Double Layer Solid-State Systems

Superfluidity has been predicted and now observed in a number of different electron-hole double-layer semiconductor heterostructures. In some of the heterostructures, such as GaAs and Ge-Si electron-hole double quantum wells, there is a strong mismatch between the electron and hole effective masses. We systematically investigate the sensitivity to unequal masses of the superfluid properties and the self-consistent screening of the electron-hole pairing interaction. We find that the superfluid properties are insensitive to mass imbalance in the low density BEC regime of strongly-coupled boson-like electron-hole pairs. At higher densities, in the BEC-BCS crossover regime of fermionic pairs, we find that mass imbalance between electrons and holes weakens the superfluidity and expands the density range for the BEC-BCS crossover regime. This permits screening to kill the superfluid at a lower density than for equal masses.