Options
2013
Journal Article
Titel
Dynamics of thermalization in GaInN/GaN quantum wells grown on ammonothermal GaN
Abstract
In this work, we present measurements of the dynamics of photoexcited carriers in GaInN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) grown on ammonothermal GaN, especially thermalization and recombination rates. Emission properties were measured by time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence spectroscopy. Due to the use of high quality homoepitaxial material, we were able to obtain very valuable data on carrier thermalization. The temperature dependence of the QW energy observed in PL shows characteristic S-shape with a step of about 10 me V. Such a behavior (related to thermalization and localization at potential fluctuations) is often reported for QWs; but in our samples, the effect is smaller than in heteroepitaxial InGaN/GaN QWs due to lower potential fluctuation in our material. Absorption properties were studied by photocurrent spectroscopy measurements. A comparison of emission and absorption spectra revealed a shift in energy of about 60 me V. Contrary to PL, the QW energy observed in absorption decreases monotonically with temperature, which can be described by a Bose-like dependence E(T) = E(0) - (lambda)/(exp((theta)/T) - 1), with parameters (lambda) = (0.11 (+/-) 0.01) eV, (theta) =(355 (+/-) 20)K, or by a Varshni dependence with coefficients (alpha) = (10 (+/-) 3) x 10(-4) eV/K and (beta) = (1500 (+/-) 500) K. Taking into account absorption and emission, the fluctuation amplitude (according to Eliseev theory) was (sigma) = 14 me V. The time resolved PL revealed that in a short period (<1 ns) after excitation, the PL peaks were broadened because of the thermal distribution of carriers. We interpreted this distribution in terms of quasi-temperature (T(q)) of the carriers. The initial T(q) was of the order of 500K. The thermalization led to a fast decrease of T(q). The obtained cooling time in the QW was (tau)(c) = 0.3 ns, which was faster than the observed recombination time (tau)(r) = 2.2ns (at 4K).
Author(s)