Correlation of microphotoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography on a single nano-object containing an InGaN/GaN multiquantum well system

Nano Lett. 2014 Jan 8;14(1):107-14. doi: 10.1021/nl4034768. Epub 2013 Dec 18.

Abstract

A single nanoscale object containing a set of InGaN/GaN nonpolar multiple-quantum wells has been analyzed by microphotoluminescence spectroscopy (μPL), high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). The correlated measurements constitute a rich and coherent set of data supporting the interpretation that the observed μPL narrow emission lines, polarized perpendicularly to the crystal c-axis and with energies in the interval 2.9-3.3 eV, are related to exciton states localized in potential minima induced by the irregular 3D In distribution within the quantum well (QW) planes. This novel method opens up interesting perspectives, as it will be possible to apply it on a wide class of quantum confining emitters and nano-objects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gallium / chemistry*
  • Indium / chemistry*
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods*
  • Materials Testing / methods
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission / methods*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • Indium
  • gallium nitride
  • Gallium
  • indium nitride