Migration enhanced epitaxy fabrication of quantum wells
First Claim
1. A method for processing nitrogen-containing active regions associated with a semiconductor laser, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate;
developing a first confining region including mirror layers above said substrate;
developing an active region including nitrogen containing layers interspersed nitrogen-free layers above said first confining region, wherein said nitrogen containing layers and said nitrogen-free layers are associated with at least one quantum well or at least one barrier layer, said developing an active region further comprising growing at least one nitrogen-free layer by alternately depositing single atomic layers of group III constituents and group V constituents without nitrogen being present, and growing at least one nitrogen containing layer on said at least one nitrogen-free layer; and
developing a second confining region including mirror layers above said active region;
wherein said step of alternately depositing single atomic layers of group III and group V constituents renders a nitrogen-free layer that is substantially flat and the at least one nitrogen-containing layer is grown on the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, the nitrogen-containing layer comprising an amount of In and/or Sb that creates a compressive strain between the nitrogen-containing layer and the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, without relaxation, thereby decreasing the band gap energy.
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Abstract
Methods and systems produce flattening layers associated with nitrogen-containing quantum wells and prevent 3-D growth of nitrogen containing layers using high As fluxes. MEE (Migration Enhanced Epitaxy) is used to flatten layers and enhance smoothness of quantum well interfaces and to achieve narrowing of the spectrum of light emitted from nitrogen containing quantum wells. MEE is performed by alternately depositing single atomic layers of group III and V before, and/or after, and/or in-between quantum wells. Where GaAs is used, the process can be accomplished by alternately opening and closing Ga and As shutters in an MBE system, while preventing both from being open at the same time. Where nitrogen is used, the system incorporates a mechanical means of preventing nitrogen from entering the MBE processing chamber, such as a gate valve.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for processing nitrogen-containing active regions associated with a semiconductor laser, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a substrate; developing a first confining region including mirror layers above said substrate; developing an active region including nitrogen containing layers interspersed nitrogen-free layers above said first confining region, wherein said nitrogen containing layers and said nitrogen-free layers are associated with at least one quantum well or at least one barrier layer, said developing an active region further comprising growing at least one nitrogen-free layer by alternately depositing single atomic layers of group III constituents and group V constituents without nitrogen being present, and growing at least one nitrogen containing layer on said at least one nitrogen-free layer; and developing a second confining region including mirror layers above said active region; wherein said step of alternately depositing single atomic layers of group III and group V constituents renders a nitrogen-free layer that is substantially flat and the at least one nitrogen-containing layer is grown on the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, the nitrogen-containing layer comprising an amount of In and/or Sb that creates a compressive strain between the nitrogen-containing layer and the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, without relaxation, thereby decreasing the band gap energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for processing nitrogen-containing active regions associated with a semiconductor laser, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a GaAs substrate; developing a first confining region including mirror layers above said substrate; developing an active region including nitrogen containing layers interspersed nitrogen-free layers above said first confining region, wherein said nitrogen containing layers and said nitrogen-free layers are associated with at least one quantum well or at least one barrier layer, said developing an active region further comprising growing at least one nitrogen-free layer by alternately depositing single atomic layers of Ga and As without nitrogen being present, and growing at least one nitrogen containing layer on said at least one nitrogen-free layer; and developing a second confining region including mirror layers above said active region; and wherein said step of alternately depositing single atomic layers of Ga and As constituents renders a nitrogen-free layer that is substantially flat and the at least one nitrogen-containing layer is grown on the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, the nitrogen-containing layer comprising an amount of In and/or Sb that creates a compressive strain between the nitrogen-containing layer and the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, without relaxation, thereby decreasing the band gap energy. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A laser diode, comprising:
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a substrate; a first confining region including mirror layers above said substrate; an active region including nitrogen containing layers interspersed with nitrogen-free layers above said first confining region, wherein said nitrogen containing layers and said nitrogen-free layers are associated with at least one quantum well or at least one barrier layer, wherein at least one of the nitrogen free layers comprises single atomic layers of group III and group V constituents and is substantially flat and wherein one of the nitrogen-containing layers is disposed on the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, the nitrogen-containing layer comprising an amount of In and/or Sb that creates a compressive strain between the nitrogen-containing layer and the substantially flat nitrogen-free layer, without relaxation, thereby decreasing the band gap energy; and a second confining region including mirror layers above said active region. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification