Electronic states and band alignment in GalnNAs/GaAs quantum-well structures with low nitrogen content

Abstract

We investigate the electronic states in strained Ga0.62In0.38N0.015As0.985/GaAs multiple- quantum-well structures using photoluminescence and (polarized) photoluminescence excitation measurements at low temperature. From a theoretical fit to the experimental data, a type-I band alignment for the heavy holes with a strained conduction-band offset ratio of about 80% is obtained, while the light holes show an approximately flat band alignment. Additionally, our results suggest an increased effective electron mass in GaInNAs, possibly due to the interaction of the conduction band with nitrogen-related resonant states, an observation prospectively of benefit for GaInNAs-based diode lasers.