Quantum dot origin of luminescence in InGaN-GaN structures

Abstract

We report on resonant photoluminescence (PL) of InGaN inclusions in a GaN matrix. The structures were grown on sapphire substrates using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Nonresonant pulsed excitation results in a broad PL peak, while resonant excitation into the nonresonant PL intensity maximum results in an evolution of a sharp resonant PL peak, having a spectral shape defined by the excitation laser pulse and a radiative decay time close to that revealed for PL under nonresonant excitation. Observation of a resonantly excited narrow PL line gives clear proof of the quantum dot nature of luminescence in InGaN-GaN samples. PL decay demonstrates strongly nonexponential behavior evidencing coexistence of quantum dots having similar ground-state transition energy, but very different electron-hole wave-function overlap.