Anisotropic epitaxial lateral growth in GaN selective area epitaxy

Abstract

Epitaxial lateral mask overgrowth which occurs during GaN selective epitaxy has been studied using linear mask features. The lateral growth varies between its maximum and minimum over a 30° angular span and exhibits hexagonal symmetry. Vertical growth follows an opposite trend, with lateral growth maxima, and vertical growth minima occurring for lines parallel to the GaN 〈10•0〉. Large variations in the lateral growth are also obtained through variations in the growth temperature and NH3 flow. Under proper growth conditions, lateral to vertical growth rate ratios of up to 4.1 can be achieved, resulting in significant lateral mask overgrowth and coalescence of features without excessive growth times.