In this paper, the study of defects in InAs/GaSb type-II superlattices using high-resolution an x-ray diffraction method as well as scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy is presented. The investigated superlattices had 200 (#SL200), 300 (#SL300), and 400 (#SL400) periods and were grown using molecular beam epitaxy. The growth conditions differed only in growth temperature, which was 370 °C for #SL400 and #SL200, and 390 °C for #SL300. A wings-like diffuse scattering was observed in reciprocal space maps of symmetrical (004) GaSb reflection. The micrometer-sized defect conglomerates comprised of stacking faults, and linear dislocations were revealed by the analysis of diffuse scattering intensity in combination with SEM and TEM imaging. The following defect-related parameters were obtained: (1) integrated diffuse scattering intensity of 0.1480 for #SL400, 0.1208 for #SL300, and 0.0882 for #SL200; (2) defect size: (2.5-3) μm × (2.5-3) μm -#SL400 and #SL200, (3.2-3.4) μm × (3.7-3.9) μm -#SL300; (3) defect diameter: ~1.84 μm -#SL400, ~2.45 μm -#SL300 and ~2.01 μm -#SL200; (4) defect density: 1.42 × 106 cm-2 -#SL400, 1.01 × 106 cm-2 -#SL300, 0.51 × 106 cm-2 -#SL200; (5) diameter of stacking faults: 0.14 μm and 0.13 μm for #SL400 and #SL200, 0.30 μm for #SL300.
Keywords: InAs/GaSb type-II superlattice; diffuse scattering; reciprocal space mapping.