Characterization Survey of GaxIn1-xAs/InAs yP1-y Double Heterostructures and InAsyP 1-y Multilayers Grown on InP

Abstract

Low-bandgap, lattice-mismatched GaxIn1-xAs (GaInAs) grown using InAsyP1-y (InAsP) compositional-step grades on InP is a primary choice for light-absorbing, active layers in high-efficiency thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices. The GaInAs/InAsP double heterostructures (DHs) show exceptional minority carrier lifetimes of up to several microseconds. We have performed a characterization survey of 0.4-0.6-eV GaInAs/InAsP DHs using a variety of techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dislocations are rarely observed to thread into the GaInAs active layers from the InAsP buffer layers that terminate the graded regions. Nearly complete strain relaxation occurs in buried regions of the InAsP grades. The buffer-layer strain prior to deposition of the active layer is virtually independent of the net misfit. Foreknowledge of this buffer-layer strain is essential to correctly lattice match the buffer to the GaInAs active layer.