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Surface defects in semiconductor lasers studied with cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy
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Steve Wilks,
Vincent Teng ,
Rowan Brown ,
Paul Rees
Applied Surface Science, Volume: 256, Issue: 19, Start page: 5736
Swansea University Authors:
Richard Cobley , Steve Wilks, Vincent Teng , Rowan Brown , Paul Rees
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.apsusc.2010.03.089
Abstract
<p>Cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy is used to study defects on the surface of semiconductor laser devices. Step defects across the active region caused by the cleave process are identified. Curved blocking layers used in buried heterostructure lasers are shown to induce strain in...
| Published in: | Applied Surface Science |
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| Published: |
2010
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5734 |
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| Abstract: |
<p>Cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy is used to study defects on the surface of semiconductor laser devices. Step defects across the active region caused by the cleave process are identified. Curved blocking layers used in buried heterostructure lasers are shown to induce strain in the layers above them. Devices are also studied whilst powered to look at how the devices change during operation, with a numerical model that confirms the observed behavior. Whilst powered, low-doped blocking layers adjacent to the active region are found to change in real time, with dopant diffusion and the formation of surface states. A tunneling model which allows the inclusion of surface states and tip-induced band bending is applied to analyze the effects on the tunneling current, confirming that the doping concentration is reducing and defect surface states are being formed.</p> |
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| Item Description: |
This paper develops an experimental method to study semiconductor laser diodes while active, with corresponding modelling. It is the only combined experimental and modelling work to use STM to study local nanoscale changes on operating optoelectronic devices. This work comes out of the authors' RAEng/EPSRC research fellowship, and has lead to a collaborative project between Swansea and Sheffield to submit an EPSRC proposal to continue the work on the development of Quantum Cascade Lasers. |
| Keywords: |
Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM); Semiconductor laser; Passivation; AlGaAs; InP |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Issue: |
19 |
| Start Page: |
5736 |