Abstract
The optical and structural properties of a new kind of InAs/InGaAlAs/InP quantum dot (QD)-like objects grown by molecular beam epitaxy have been investigated. These nanostructures were found to have significantly more symmetrical shapes compared to the commonly obtained dash-like geometries typical of this material system. The enhanced symmetry has been achieved due to the use of an As2 source and the consequent shorter migration length of the indium atoms. Structural studies based on a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) provided detailed information on both the structure and composition distribution within an individual nanostructure. However, it was not possible to determine the lateral aspect ratio from STEM or APT. To verify the in-plane geometry, electronic structure calculations, including the energy levels and transition oscillator strength for the QDs have been performed using an eight-band k·p model and realistic system parameters. The results of calculations were compared to measured polarization-resolved photoluminescence data. On the basis of measured degree of linear polarization of the surface emission, the in-plane shape of the QDs has been assessed proving a substantial increase in lateral symmetry. This results in quantum-dot rather than quantum-dash like properties, consistent with expectations based on the growth conditions and the structural data.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 094306 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physics |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 7 Sep 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work has been supported by the DeLight Project of 7th Framework Program of the European Commission project No 224366, the Polish of Science and Higher Education and National Science Centre Grant Nos. N N515 496640 and 2011/02/A/ST3/00152. Also acknowledged is the Israel Science Foundation.