N incorporation in GaInNSb alloys and lattice matching to GaSb

The incorporation of N into MBE grown GaNSb and GaInNSb is investigated. Measurements of the N fraction in GaNSb show the familiar linear dependence on inverse growth rate, followed by a departure from this at low growth rates; a similar behaviour is observed for GaInNSb. Unexpectedly, the point at which there is a departure from this linear behaviour is found to be extended to lower growth rates by the addition of small amounts of In. These results are compared to a kinetic theory-based model from which it is postulated that the change in behaviour can be attributed to an In-induced change in the characteristic surface residence lifetime of the N atoms. In addition, a method is demonstrated for growing GaInNSb lattice-matched to GaSb(001) for compositions with band gaps covering the 2–5 μm region.