Tadashi Mitsunari

Selective-area growth of GaN microrods on strain-induced templates by hydride vapor phase epitaxy

In this paper, we discuss the influence of parameters such as type of carrier gas and NH3/HCl flow ratio on the growth of vertical GaN microstructures by selective-area growth (SAG) hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). On various strain-induced templates such as GaN/sapphire, GaN/Si, and AlN/Si, regular arrays of Ga-polar GaN microrods were properly achieved by adjusting the growth parameters. The photoluminescence and micro-Raman measurements reveal not only the crystal quality of the GaN microrods but also strain distribution. These results will give insight into the control of the morphology of GaN microrods in terms of the strain induced from templates in SAG-HVPE. The precisely controlled arrays of GaN microrods can be used for next-generation light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by realizing InGaN/GaN multi–quantum wells (MQWs) with a radial structure.

Study of radiation detection properties of GaN pn diode

Recently, GaN, which has remarkable properties as a material for optical devices and high-power electron devices, has also attracted attention as a material for radiation detectors. We previously suggested the use of BGaN as a neutron detector material. However, the radiation detection characteristics of GaN itself are not yet adequately understood. For realizing a BGaN neutron detector, the understanding of the radiation detection characteristics of GaN, which is a base material of the neutron detector, is important. In this study, we evaluated the radiation detection characteristics of GaN. We performed I–V and energy spectrum measurements under alpha ray, gamma ray, and thermal neutron irradiations to characterize the radiation detection characteristics of a GaN diode. The obtained results indicate that GaN is an effective material for our proposed new BGaN-based neutron detector.

Evaluation of excess In during metal organic vapor-phase epitaxy growth of InGaN by monitoring via in situ laser scattering

Using an in situ laser absorption and scattering method, the surface roughness and incorporation of In in InGaN layers grown by metal organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) were monitored. We observed that the laser light with energy higher than the GaN bandgap was fully absorbed in a GaN layer with a smooth film surface. On the other hand, we observed that the scattering laser light from the surface when the roughness of the InGaN surface increased owing to the formation of In droplets. Laser light with energy lower than the GaN bandgap was weakly absorbed by the GaN layer and was scattered at the back surface of the wafer. Furthermore, laser light intensity decreased during InGaN growth because of In incorporation. The threshold of trimethyl-In (TMIn) for the formation of In droplets as a function of growth temperature was determined using our in situ system. Moreover, we observed that the In droplets were removed by thermal or H2 treatment. The results indicate that multiwavelength laser absorption and scattering enable the optimization of the growth conditions for In-rich InGaN.

Beyond blue LED

After reviewing the development of GaN-based blue light emitting diodes (LEDs), new GaN-on-Si technology and nanowires/nanorods technology are outlined. The fundamental growth technology as well as the application of these structures for laser diodes (LDs) and LEDs are discussed in detail.