Atomic-scale structure of self-assembled In(Ga)As quantum rings in GaAs

We present an atomic-scale analysis of the indium distribution of self-assembled In(Ga)As quantum rings (QRs) which are formed from InAs quantum dots by capping with a thin layer of GaAs and subsequent annealing. We find that the size and shape of QRs as observed by cross-sectional scanning tunnelin...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Offermans, P., Koenraad, P. M., Wolter, J. H., Granados, Daniel, García Martínez, Jorge Manuel, Fomin, Vladimir M., Gladilin, V. N., Devreese, J. T.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2005
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:digitalcsic_::a1cc17f61605cea5832a698820ac7351
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/19283
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Self-assembly
Indium compounds
Gallium arsenide
Semiconductor quantum dots
III-V semiconductors
Annealing
Scanning tunnelling microscopy
Atomic force microscopy
Descripción
Sumario:We present an atomic-scale analysis of the indium distribution of self-assembled In(Ga)As quantum rings (QRs) which are formed from InAs quantum dots by capping with a thin layer of GaAs and subsequent annealing. We find that the size and shape of QRs as observed by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy (X-STM) deviate substantially from the ring-shaped islands as observed by atomic force microscopy on the surface of uncapped QR structures. We show unambiguously that X-STM images the remaining quantum dot material whereas the AFM images the erupted quantum dot material. The remaining dot material shows an asymmetric indium-rich crater-like shape with a depression rather than an opening at the center and is responsible for the observed electronic properties of QR structures. These quantum craters have an indium concentration of about 55% and a diameter of about 20 nm which is consistent with the observed electronic radius of QR structures.