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Summary
GaN nanowires grown by catalyst-free molecular beam epitaxy have the unique property that most nanowires are completely free of crystalline defects. This perfection is a direct consequence of the growth method, which approaches conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium and results in smooth sidewalls comprised of m-plane crystal planes. Our research in this area includes development of selective epitaxy methods for control of nanowire location and diameter, polarity measurement and control, doping for both p-type and n-type conductivity, and formation of quantum wells and quantum disks within the nanowires.
Description
(a) Tilt view of hexagonal array of 100-plus nanowires with 1000 nm spacing. (b) electroluminescence spectra of GaN LED array showing increasing luminescence with increasing current and peak at 380 nm
Selective epitaxy: We have demonstrated that the diameter and placement of nanowires can be controlled by using silicon nitride (SiNx) masks on top of MBE-grown buffer layers (see figure). With electron beam lithography, several patterns with 3 mm die size that provide over 100,000 controlled nucleation sites can be generated in a few hours. The ability to control diameter is important for practical applications of GaN nanowires in manufacturing environments and is one of the key advantages they offer over other nanowire and nanotube materials.
Polarity: Unlike many compound semiconductors, GaN forms with the wurtzite crystal structure and therefore has an axis of distinct symmetry, conventionally called the c-axis, which is aligned with the growth direction of our nanowires. The polarity of the crystal- whether the lower atom in c-plane bonds presents a Ga face or N face- determines direction of polarization fields in the crystal, and can also effect growth and etching rates. Reliable measurements of nanowire polarity are difficult, however, because the nanowire morphology presents different planes for etching and alters electron diffraction patterns from those established for planar films due to the 3D geometry of the nanowires. We have developed piezoforce microscopy as a method for measuring polarity of nanowires and thin films and are researching its role in nanowire growth.