GaN Crystals: Growth and Doping Under Pressure

Abstract

AbstractThe recent progress in high pressure crystallization of GaN is reported. The results of the growth from the solutions of atomic nitrogen in pure Ga and in its alloys with Mg, Ca and Zn are discussed. It is shown that the growth mechanisms and the physical properties of the crystals depend on the type of dopant added into the solution. In particular, high resistivity (104-106Ωcm) GaN crystals of improved structural quality can be grown from solutions containing Mg. It was also observed that the addition of Mg, Ca and Zn suppress yellow photoluminescence commonly observed in GaN crystals grown without an intentional doping. The preparation of surfaces of GaN substrates for homoepitaxy by mechanical and mechanochemical polishing is discussed. It is shown that atomically flat, thermally stable surfaces are possible to obtain by the applied procedures.Some most interesting results concerning homoepitaxial growth by MOCVD and MBE is shortly reviewed. In particular, it is shown that perfectly matched (strain free) GaN layers can be deposited on the highly resistive GaN:Mg substrates.