Structural and Photoluminescence Properties for Highly Strain-Compensated InGaAs/InAlAs Superlattice

The effects of strain compensation are investigated by using twenty periods of highly strain-compensated InGaAs/InAlAs superlattice. The lattice mismatches of individual layers are as high as about 1%, and the thicknesses are close to critical thicknesses. X-ray diffraction measurements show that lattice imperfectness is not serious but still present, though the structural parameters are within the range of theoretical design criteria for structural stability. Rough interfaces and composition fluctuations are the primary causes for lattice imperfectness. Photoluminescence measurements show the large thermally activated nonradiative recombination in the sample. In addition, the recombination process gradually evolves from excitonic recombination at lower temperatures to band-to-band recombination at higher temperatures, which should be considered in device applications.