Excitons and Phonons in GaN. Magnetooptical and Spatially Resolved Investigations
A. Hoffmann, L. Eckey, H. Siegle, A. Kaschner
Institut für Festkörperphysik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany

J. Christen, F. Bertram
Institut für Experimentelle Physik, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, PO4120, 39016 Magdeburg, Germany

and Q.K.K. Liu
Hahn- Meitner Institut Berlin, Theoretische Physik, Glienicker Str. 100, 14109 Berlin, Germany
Full Text PDF
A comprehensive study of the direct photoluminescence from free-exciton states in GaN using polarization-dependent and magnetooptical measurements is presented. We measured and identified fine-structure splittings in the n=1 state of the A-exciton. From the magnetoluminescence data obtained in fields up to 15 T we determined the g-values of the conduction and valence bands parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis. Self-organized hexagonal GaN pyramids of 5 μm width and covered by six {1101} side facets were investigated by spatially resolved cathodoluminescence and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Beside a narrow luminescence peak at 355 nm, originating from the 2 μm thick GaN layer, an additional broad luminescence band was observed from the GaN pyramids around a wavelength of 357 nm. A strong energy shift is found along the {1101} pyramidal facets and directly visualized by monochromatic cathodoluminescence images and line scans. In GaN epilayers grown on GaAs substrates a series of sharp modes in the range between 60 cm-1 and 250 cm-1 for temperatures below 100 K was found. The intensities of these modes increased drastically with decreasing temperature. Raman excitation spectra showed a maximum between 514.5 nm and 568 nm. A comparison of spatially resolved investigations with that of intentionally doped GaN epilayers showed that the in-diffusion of As from the substrate plays an important role. Raman spectra as a function of external fields, like magnetic field and hydrostatic pressure, gave additional information about the defect type and the underlying scattering mechanism.
DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.94.125
PACS numbers: 71.35.-y, 78.40.Fy, 78.45.+h