Effect of In and Al Content on Characteristics of Intrinsic Defects in GaAs-Based Quantum Dots.

The effect of In and Al on the properties of the As[sub Ga] defect complex (arsenic substituted for gallium at a crystal lattice site) in GaAs-based quantum dots (QDs) was investigated using the nonempirical quantum-chemical SCF–MO–LCAO technique. It is shown that an As[sub Ga] defect can exist in stable and metastable states. Raising the indium or aluminum content in QD enhances the probability of As[sub Ga] defect formation in the stable state; in case of In introduction, this effect is manifested more strongly. The activation energy of the transition between stable and metastable states varies between 0.886 and 2.049 eV, depending on the QD stoichiometry. The formation of an As[sub Ga] defect gives rise to two deep levels in the band gap. © 2004 MAIK “Nauka / Interperiodica”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]