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Characterisation of InGaN by Photoconductive Atomic Force Microscopy.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Weatherley, Thomas FK 
Massabuau, Fabien C-P  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1008-1652
Kappers, Menno J 
Oliver, Rachel A 

Abstract

Nanoscale structure has a large effect on the optoelectronic properties of InGaN, a material vital for energy saving technologies such as light emitting diodes. Photoconductive atomic force microscopy (PC-AFM) provides a new way to investigate this effect. In this study, PC-AFM was used to characterise four thick (∼130 nm) In x Ga 1 - x N films with x = 5%, 9%, 12%, and 15%. Lower photocurrent was observed on elevated ridges around defects (such as V-pits) in the films with x ≤ 12 %. Current-voltage curve analysis using the PC-AFM setup showed that this was due to a higher turn-on voltage on these ridges compared to surrounding material. To further understand this phenomenon, V-pit cross sections from the 9% and 15% films were characterised using transmission electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. This identified a subsurface indium-deficient region surrounding the V-pit in the lower indium content film, which was not present in the 15% sample. Although this cannot directly explain the impact of ridges on turn-on voltage, it is likely to be related. Overall, the data presented here demonstrate the potential of PC-AFM in the field of III-nitride semiconductors.

Description

Keywords

InGaN, dislocations, photoconductive atomic force microscopy

Journal Title

Materials (Basel)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1996-1944
1996-1944

Volume Title

11

Publisher

MDPI AG
Sponsorship
European Research Council (279361)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/M010589/1)