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Holsgrove KM, O’Reilly TI, Varo S, Gocalinska A, Juska G, Kepaptsoglou DM, Pelucchi E, Arredondo M. Towards 3D characterisation of site-controlled InGaAs pyramidal QDs at the nanoscale. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 2022; 57:16383-16396. [PMID: 36101839 PMCID: PMC9463298 DOI: 10.1007/s10853-022-07654-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In this work, we report an extensive investigation via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques of InGaAs/GaAs pyramidal quantum dots (PQDs), a unique site-controlled family of quantum emitters that have proven to be excellent sources of single and entangled photons. The most striking features of this system, originating from their peculiar fabrication process, include their inherently 3-dimensional nature and their interconnection to a series of nanostructures that are formed alongside them, such as quantum wells and quantum wires. We present structural and chemical data from cross-sectional and plan view samples of both single and stacked PQDs structures. Our findings identify (i) the shape of the dot, being hexagonal and not triangular as previously assumed, (ii) the chemical distribution at the facets and QD area, displaying clear Indium diffusion, and (iii) a near absence of Aluminium (from the AlAs marker) at the bottom of the growth profile. Our results shed light on previously unreported structural and chemical features of PQDs, which is of extreme relevance for further development of this family of quantum emitters. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10853-022-07654-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamsin I. O’Reilly
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University, Belfast, UK
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK
| | - Simone Varo
- Tyndall National Institute, “Lee Maltings”, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Agnieszka Gocalinska
- Tyndall National Institute, “Lee Maltings”, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gediminas Juska
- Tyndall National Institute, “Lee Maltings”, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Demie M. Kepaptsoglou
- SuperSTEM Laboratory, SciTech Daresbury Campus, Daresbury, WA4 4AD UK
- Department of Physics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Emanuele Pelucchi
- Tyndall National Institute, “Lee Maltings”, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Miryam Arredondo
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University, Belfast, UK
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Combined atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence imaging to select single InAs/GaAs quantum dots for quantum photonic devices. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6205. [PMID: 28740160 PMCID: PMC5524751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06566-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on a combined photoluminescence imaging and atomic force microscopy study of single, isolated self-assembled InAs quantum dots. The motivation of this work is to determine an approach that allows to assess single quantum dots as candidates for quantum nanophotonic devices. By combining optical and scanning probe characterization techniques, we find that single quantum dots often appear in the vicinity of comparatively large topographic features. Despite this, the quantum dots generally do not exhibit significant differences in their non-resonantly pumped emission spectra in comparison to quantum dots appearing in defect-free regions, and this behavior is observed across multiple wafers produced in different growth chambers. Such large surface features are nevertheless a detriment to applications in which single quantum dots are embedded within nanofabricated photonic devices: they are likely to cause large spectral shifts in the wavelength of cavity modes designed to resonantly enhance the quantum dot emission, thereby resulting in a nominally perfectly-fabricated single quantum dot device failing to behave in accordance with design. We anticipate that the approach of screening quantum dots not only based on their optical properties, but also their surrounding surface topographies, will be necessary to improve the yield of single quantum dot nanophotonic devices.
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Marquardt O, O'Reilly EP, Schulz S. Electronic properties of site-controlled (111)-oriented zinc-blende InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots calculated using a symmetry-adapted k·p Hamiltonian. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2014; 26:035303. [PMID: 24355799 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/3/035303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we present and evaluate a (111)-rotated eight-band k ⋅p Hamiltonian for the zinc-blende crystal lattice to investigate the electronic properties of site-controlled InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots grown along the [111] direction. We derive the rotated Hamiltonian including strain and piezoelectric potentials. In combination with our previously formulated (111)-oriented continuum elasticity model, we employ this approach to investigate the electronic properties of a realistic site-controlled (111)-grown InGaAs quantum dot. We combine these studies with an evaluation of single-band effective mass and eight-band k ⋅p models, to investigate the capabilities of these models for the description of electronic properties of (111)-grown zinc-blende quantum dots. Moreover, the influence of second-order piezoelectric contributions on the polarization potential in such systems is studied. The description of the electronic structure of nanostructures grown on (111)-oriented surfaces can now be achieved with significantly reduced computational costs in comparison to calculations performed using the conventional (001)-oriented models.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Marquardt
- Photonics Theory Group, Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland
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Dimastrodonato V, Pelucchi E, Vvedensky DD. Self-limiting evolution of seeded quantum wires and dots on patterned substrates. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 108:256102. [PMID: 23004625 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.256102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Extensive experimental data and an accompanying theoretical model are presented for the self-limiting profiles and Ga segregation on patterned GaAs(111)B substrates during metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy of Al(x)Ga(1-x)As. Self-limiting widths and segregation of Ga produce quantum dots along the base of pyramidal recesses bounded by (111)A planes and quantum wires along the vertical axis of the template, respectively. Coupled reaction-diffusion equations for precursor and adatom kinetics reproduce the measured concentration and temperature dependence of the self-limiting width and segregation. Our model can be extended to other patterned systems, providing a new paradigm for predicting the morphology of surface nanostructures and inferring their quantum optical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Dimastrodonato
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Dyke Parade, Cork, Ireland
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Juska G, Dimastrodonato V, Mereni LO, Gocalinska A, Pelucchi E. A study of nitrogen incorporation in pyramidal site-controlled quantum dots. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2011; 6:567. [PMID: 22029752 PMCID: PMC3212095 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276x-6-567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We present the results of a study of nitrogen incorporation in metalorganic-vapour-phase epitaxy-grown site-controlled quantum dots (QDs). We report for the first time on a significant incorporation (approximately 0.3%), producing a noteworthy red shift (at least 50 meV) in some of our samples. Depending on the level of nitrogen incorporation/exposure, strong modifications of the optical features are found (variable distribution of the emission homogeneity, fine-structure splitting, few-particle effects). We discuss our results, especially in relation to a specific reproducible sample which has noticeable features: the usual pattern of the excitonic transitions is altered and the fine-structure splitting is suppressed to vanishing values. Distinctively, nitrogen incorporation can be achieved without detriment to the optical quality, as confirmed by narrow linewidths and photon correlation spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gediminas Juska
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Lorenzo O Mereni
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland
| | - Agnieszka Gocalinska
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland
| | - Emanuele Pelucchi
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland
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Surrente A, Gallo P, Felici M, Dwir B, Rudra A, Kapon E. Dense arrays of ordered pyramidal quantum dots with narrow linewidth photoluminescence spectra. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2009; 20:415205. [PMID: 19762950 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/41/415205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Arrays of site-controlled, pyramidal InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) grown by organo-metallic chemical vapour deposition with densities comparable to those of self-assembled QDs (5 x 10(9) cm(-2)) are demonstrated. The QDs exhibit high quality photoluminescence spectra with inhomogeneous broadening of only 6.5 meV. The QD dipole moment was estimated through the analysis of time-resolved photoluminescence measurements. Such ordered QD arrays should be useful for applications in active nanophotonic systems such as QD lasers, modulators and switches requiring high overlap of the optical modes with the QD active region.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Surrente
- Laboratory of Physics of Nanostructures, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Martín-Sánchez J, Muñoz-Matutano G, Herranz J, Canet-Ferrer J, Alén B, González Y, Alonso-González P, Fuster D, González L, Martínez-Pastor J, Briones F. Single photon emission from site-controlled InAs quantum dots grown on GaAs(001) patterned substrates. ACS NANO 2009; 3:1513-1517. [PMID: 19435304 DOI: 10.1021/nn9001566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We present a fabrication method to produce site-controlled and regularly spaced InAs/GaAs quantum dots for applications in quantum optical information devices. The high selectivity of our epitaxial regrowth procedure can be used to allocate the quantum dots only in positions predefined by ex-situ local oxidation atomic force nanolithography. The quantum dots obtained following this fabrication process present a high optical quality which we have evaluated by microphotoluminescence and photon correlation experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Martín-Sánchez
- Instituto de Microelectronica de Madrid (CNM, CSIC), Isaac Newton 8, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain.
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Felici M, Gallo P, Mohan A, Dwir B, Rudra A, Kapon E. Site-controlled InGaAs quantum dots with tunable emission energy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2009; 5:938-943. [PMID: 19235797 DOI: 10.1002/smll.200801274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor quantum-dot (QD) systems offering perfect site control and tunable emission energy are essential for numerous nanophotonic device applications involving spatial and spectral matching of dots with optical cavities. Herein, the properties of ordered InGaAs/GaAs QDs grown by organometallic chemical vapor deposition on substrates patterned with pyramidal recesses are reported. The seeded growth of a single QD inside each pyramid results in near-perfect (<10 nm) control of the QD position. Moreover, efficient and uniform photoluminescence (inhomogeneous broadening <10 meV) is observed from ordered arrays of such dots. The QD emission energy can be finely tuned by varying 1) the pyramid size and 2) its position within specific patterns. This tunability is brought about by the patterning of both the chemical properties and the surface curvature features of the substrate, which allows local control of the adatom fluxes that determine the QD thickness and composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Felici
- Laboratory of Physics of Nanostructures, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Martín-Sánchez J, Alonso-González P, Herranz J, González Y, González L. Site-controlled lateral arrangements of InAs quantum dots grown on GaAs(001) patterned substrates by atomic force microscopy local oxidation nanolithography. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2009; 20:125302. [PMID: 19420463 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/12/125302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we present a fabrication process that combines atomic force microscopy (AFM) local oxidation nanolithography and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth techniques in order to control both the nucleation site and number of InAs quantum dots (QDs) inside different motifs printed on GaAs(001) substrates. We find that the presence of B-type slopes (As terminated) inside the pattern motifs is the main parameter for controlling the selectivity of the pattern for InAs growth. We demonstrate that either single InAs QDs or multiple InAs QDs in a lateral arrangement (LQDAs) can be obtained, with a precise control in their position and QD number, simply by varying the fabricated oxide length along the [110] direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Martín-Sánchez
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Madrid (CNM-CSIC), Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
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