A. Lenz

Reversed truncated cone composition distribution of In0.8Ga0.2As quantum dots overgrown by an In0.1Ga0.9As layer in a GaAs matrix

We present cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy results of self-organized In0.8Ga0.2As quantum dots covered by an In0.1Ga0.9As film inside a GaAs matrix prepared by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. From images of quantum dots with atomic resolution, we determine a spatial distribution of the In composition within the dots with a shape of a reversed truncated cone. The wetting layer and the overgrown In0.1Ga0.9As layer show vertical intermixing.

Change of InAs/GaAs quantum dot shape and composition during capping

Using plan-view and cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy, the shape and composition of InAs/GaAs quantum dots are investigated before and after capping by GaAs. During capping, the original pyramidally shaped quantum dots become truncated, resulting in a flat (001) top facet and steeper side facets. The InAs quantum dots are found to be intermixed at their top with GaAs due to material rearrangement. Since the bottom interface of quantum dots and wetting layer is always sharp, this intermixing occurs during capping and not during quantum dot growth. Considering strain energies, a model for the capping is presented.

Structure and intermixing of GaSb/GaAs quantum dots

We present cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy results of GaSb quantum dots in GaAs, grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The size of the optically active quantum dots with base lengths of 4–8 nm and heights of about 2 nm is considerably smaller than previously published data obtained by other characterization methods. The local stoichiometry, obtained from atomically resolved images, shows a strong intermixing in the partly discontinuous wetting layer with an average GaSb content below 50%, while the GaSb content of the partly intermixed quantum dots is between 60% and 100%.

Nanovoids in InGaAs∕GaAs quantum dots observed by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy

We present cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy data of a type of InGaAs∕GaAs quantum-dot structure characterized by a hollow center. This void structure develops during a long growth interruption applied after deposition of a quantum dot layer and a thin cap layer, resulting in an eruption of indium-rich material. Subsequent fast overgrowth does not fill the void completely. This growth behavior demonstrates limitations of current strategies to grow large quantum dots.

20 Gb/s 85

980 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers based on submonolayer growth of quantum dots show clearly open eyes and operate error free with bit error rates better than 10 at 25 and 85degC for 20 Gb/s without current adjustment. The peak differential efficiency only reduces from 0.71 to 0.61 W/A between 25 and 85degC; the maximum output power at 25degC is above 10 mW.

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GaSb quantum rings in GaAs were studied by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy. The quantum rings have an outer shape of a truncated pyramid with typical lateral extensions between 10 and 30nm and heights between 1 and 3nm, depending on the molecular beam epitaxy growth conditions. A clear central opening of varying diameter and more or less conical shape, filled with GaAs, is characteristic for the GaSb rings. The self-organized formation of quantum rings during the growth and subsequent fast overgrowth of GaSb quantum dots is attributed to a combination of large strain with strong Sb segregation. The latter is enabled by extensive group-V atomic exchange reactions at the GaSb∕GaAs interfaces, which are quantitatively evaluated from the atomically resolved microscopy data.

C Error-Free Operation of VCSELs Based on Submonolayer Deposition of Quantum Dots

A nonpolar stoichiometric InN(112¯0) surface freshly cleaved inside UHV was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Due to the absence of intrinsic surface states in the band gap, scanning tunneling spectroscopy yields directly the fundamental bulk band gap of 0.7±0.1 eV. The Fermi energy is pinned 0.3 eV below the conduction band minimum due to cleavage induced defect states. Thus, intrinsic electron accumulation can be excluded for this surface. Electron accumulation is rather an extrinsic effect due to surface contamination or material decomposition, but not an intrinsic material property of InN.

Quantum ring formation and antimony segregation in GaSb∕GaAs nanostructures

Combined cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy results reveal the interplay between the atomic structure of ring-shaped GaSb quantum dots in GaAs and the corresponding electronic properties. Hole confinement energies between 0.2 and 0.3 eV and a type-II conduction band offset of 0.1 eV are directly obtained from the data. Additionally, the hole occupancy of quantum dot states and spatially separated Coulomb-bound electron states are observed in the tunneling spectra.

Direct measurement of the band gap and Fermi level position at InN(112¯0)

Advanced types of QD media allow an ultrahigh modal gain, avoid temperature depletion and gain saturation effects, when used in high-speed quantum dot (QD) vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). An anti-guiding VCSEL design reduces gain depletion and radiative leakage, caused by parasitic whispering gallery VCSEL modes. Temperature robustness up to 100°C for 0.96 - 1.25 &mgr;m range devices is realized in the continuous wave (cw) regime. An open eye 20 Gb/s operation with bit error rates better than 10-12 has been achieved in a temperature range 25-85°C without current adjustment. A different approach for ultrahigh-speed operation is based on a combination of the VCSEL section, operating in the CW mode with an additional section of the device, which is electrooptically modulated under a reverse bias. The tuning of a resonance wavelength of the second section, caused by the electrooptic effect, affects the transmission of the system. The second cavity mode, resonant to the VCSEL mode, or the stopband edge of the second Bragg reflector can be used for intensity modulation. The approach enables ultrahigh speed signal modulation. 60GHz electrical and ~35GHz optical (limited by the photodetector response) bandwidths are realized.

Confined states of individual type-II GaSb/GaAs quantum rings studied by cross-sectional scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

In this work we present a comparative cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy study of different InAs and InGaAs quantum dot structures grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The varying growth conditions lead to completely different spatial structures, as distinctive quantum dots, intermixed layers, and intermixed dots. Especially the overgrowth procedure and the arrangement of growth interruptions are responsible for segregation of the InAs material.