Defect characterization of { 10 1 ¯ 3 } GaN by electron microscopy

Abstract

Advances in obtaining untwinned (10 1 ¯3)-oriented semi-polar GaN enable a new crystal orientation for the growth of green and red LED structures. We present a scanning electron microscopy study that combines the structural characterization of electron channeling contrast imaging with the optical characterization of cathodoluminescence hyperspectral imaging on a (10 1 ¯ 3) GaN layer. An extensive defect analysis revealed that the dominant defects consist of basal plane stacking faults (BSFs), prismatic stacking faults, partial dislocations, and threading dislocations. With a defect density of about an order of magnitude lower than in comparable. The optical properties of the defects have been characterized from 10 to 320 K, showing BSF luminescence at room temperature indicating a reduced density of non-radiative recombination centers in the as-grown samples compared to established semi- and non-polar orientations. Our findings suggest that growth along (10 1 ¯3) has the potential for higher radiative efficiency than established semi-polar orientations.