Molecular Beam Epitaxial Growth and Characterization of GaAs on Sapphire and Silicon-on-Sapphire Substrates

Abstract

ABSTRACTEpitaxial GaAs layers have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (1012) sapphire and silicon-on-sapphire substrates. The grown layers were characterized by optical and transmission electron microscopy; Rutherford backscattering/channeling of 2.1 MeV He+ ions; Raman spectroscopy; Hall mobility measurements; photoluminescence spectroscopy and current-voltage measurements from metal-semiconductor contacts. The extensive microstructural, electrical and optical analysis of the GaAs layers indicates that the films deposited on silicon-on-sapphire are superior to those grown directly on (1012) sapphire substrates.