Separated Electronic and Strain Interfaces in Core/Dual-Shell Nanowires: Unlocking the Potential of Strained GaAs for Applications Across Near-Infrared

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Xiaoxiao Sun - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Alexej Pashkin - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Finn Moebus - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • René Hübner - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Stephan Winnerl - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Manfred Helm - , Chair of Semiconductor Spectroscopy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Emmanouil Dimakis - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)

Abstract

Semiconductor nanowires have inspired plenty of novel nanotechnology device concepts in photonics, electronics, and sensing, owing to their unique functionalities and integrability in heterogeneous platforms. Lattice-mismatched core/shell heterostructures, in particular, open new avenues for strain engineering and material properties modification. A notable case is the widely tunable tensile strain in the core of GaAs/InxAl1-xAs core/shell nanowires, which can be used to tailor the GaAs bandgap for applications across near-infrared, like optical fiber telecommunication, imaging, photovoltaics, etc. As it is shown here, though, the bandgap narrowing under high tensile strain in the GaAs core is accompanied by fast non-radiative recombination, which is undesirable for any device application. The limiting role of the lattice-mismatched core/shell interface is revealed, and a novel core/dual-shell heterostructure that employs an intermediate AlyGa1-yAs shell (spacer) is proposed. This spacer decouples the GaAs/AlyGa1-yAs interface, which confines electrons and holes into GaAs, from the lattice-mismatched AlyGa1-yAs/InxAl1-xAs one, whereas the strain in GaAs is unaffected. Choosing the optimal spacer thickness, the photoluminescence yield increases significantly, with longer emission decay lifetimes and slower carrier cooling rates. Besides unlocking the potential of GaAs for photonic applications across near-infrared, the proposed heterostructure concept can also be adopted for other material systems.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2400883
JournalAdvanced functional materials
Volume34
Issue number30
Publication statusPublished - 24 Jul 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • charge carrier dynamics, heterostructures, nanotechnology, semiconductors, strain engineering