From visible to white light emission by GaN quantum dots on Si(111) substrate

Abstract

GaN quantum dots (QDs) in an AlN matrix have been grown on Si(111) by molecular-beam epitaxy. The growth of GaN deposited at 800 °C on AlN has been investigated in situ by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. It is found that a growth interruption performed at GaN thicknesses larger than three molecular monolayers (8 Å) instantaneously leads to the formation of three-dimensional islands. This is used to grow GaN/AlN QDs on Si(111). Depending on their sizes, intense room-temperature photoluminescence is observed from blue to orange. Finally, we demonstrate that stacking of QD planes with properly chosen dot sizes gives rise to white light emission.