On the growth mechanism of Li- and Na-doped Zn chalcogenides on GaAs(001) by means of molecular beam epitaxy

Sharp and semicircular patterns were observed in RHEED during the MBE growth of Li- or Na-acceptor doped ZnSe and ZnS on GaAs(001). The radius and the separation between the diffraction circles vary with the change of the azimuth of the incident electron beam. Calculated diffraction patterns assuming that Li or Na atoms are arrayed one-dimensionally along the [110] direction of the crystal axis are in good agreement with the experimental results. We conclude that Li or Na atoms are incorporated at the [110] terrace steps, which prevents the further growth from the step edge.