AlGaN/AlN MOVPE heteroepitaxy: pulsed co-doping SiH₄ and TMIn

We report a new growth approach pulsed co-doping growth of Al_xGa_1−xN (x > 0.5) epilayers on AlN/Al₂O₃ templates by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Using this approach SiH₄ (silane) and TMIn (trimethylindium) supplied to the growth chamber alternately and pulsed during the growth of AlGaN epilayers. Structural and morphological quality of AlGaN epilayers were investigated by high resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. It has shown that higher crystalline quality with low full width at half maximum (FWHM) and smoother surface morphology with reduced hexagonal hillock density has been obtained by the pulsed co-doping growth approach. Volcano like hillock structures has been confirmed by Raman mapping. (paper)