Evolution of point defects in pulsed-laser-melted Ge1-xSnx probed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • O. Steuer - , Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • M. O. Liedke - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • M. Butterling - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • D. Schwarz - , University of Stuttgart (Author)
  • J. Schulze - , Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology (Author)
  • Z. Li - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • A. Wagner - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • I. A. Fischer - , Brandenburg University of Technology (Author)
  • R. Hübner - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • S. Zhou - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • M. Helm - , Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Chair of Semiconductor Spectroscopy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • G. Cuniberti - , Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Y. M. Georgiev - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • S. Prucnal - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)

Abstract

Direct-band-gap Germanium-Tin alloys (Ge1-xSn x ) with high carrier mobilities are promising materials for nano- and optoelectronics. The concentration of open volume defects in the alloy, such as Sn and Ge vacancies, influences the final device performance. In this article, we present an evaluation of the point defects in molecular-beam-epitaxy grown Ge1-xSn x films treated by post-growth nanosecond-range pulsed laser melting (PLM). Doppler broadening - variable energy positron annihilation spectroscopy and variable energy positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy are used to investigate the defect nanostructure in the Ge1-xSn x films exposed to increasing laser energy density. The experimental results, supported with ATomic SUPerposition calculations, evidence that after PLM, the average size of the open volume defects increases, which represents a raise in concentration of vacancy agglomerations, but the overall defect density is reduced as a function of the PLM fluence. At the same time, the positron annihilation spectroscopy analysis provides information about dislocations and Ge vacancies decorated by Sn atoms. Moreover, it is shown that the PLM reduces the strain in the layer, while dislocations are responsible for trapping of Sn and formation of small Sn-rich-clusters.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number085701
JournalJournal of Physics Condensed Matter
Volume36
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 28 Feb 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • GeSn, laser annealing, PLM, point defects, positron annihilation