Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBE

The monolithic integration of III-V semiconductors with silicon (Si) is a critical step toward advancing optoelectronic and photonic devices. In this work, we present GaAs nanoheteroepitaxy (NHE) on Si nanotips using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GS-MBE). We discuss the selective growth of full...

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Main Authors: Adriana Rodrigues, Anagha Kamath, Hannah-Sophie Illner, Navid Kafi, Oliver Skibitzki, Martin Schmidbauer, Fariba Hatami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1083
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author Adriana Rodrigues
Anagha Kamath
Hannah-Sophie Illner
Navid Kafi
Oliver Skibitzki
Martin Schmidbauer
Fariba Hatami
author_facet Adriana Rodrigues
Anagha Kamath
Hannah-Sophie Illner
Navid Kafi
Oliver Skibitzki
Martin Schmidbauer
Fariba Hatami
author_sort Adriana Rodrigues
collection DOAJ
description The monolithic integration of III-V semiconductors with silicon (Si) is a critical step toward advancing optoelectronic and photonic devices. In this work, we present GaAs nanoheteroepitaxy (NHE) on Si nanotips using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GS-MBE). We discuss the selective growth of fully relaxed GaAs nanoislands on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible Si(001) nanotip wafers. Nanotip wafers were fabricated using a state-of-the-art 0.13 μm SiGe Bipolar CMOS pilot line on 200 mm wafers. Our investigation focuses on understanding the influence of the growth conditions on the morphology, crystalline structure, and defect formation of the GaAs islands. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of the GaAs islands were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. For samples with less deposition, the GaAs islands exhibit a monomodal size distribution, with an average effective diameter ranging between 100 and 280 nm. These islands display four distinct facet orientations corresponding to the {001} planes. As the deposition increases, larger islands with multiple crystallographic facets emerge, accompanied by a transition from a monomodal to a bimodal growth mode. Single twinning is observed in all samples. However, with increasing deposition, not only a bimodal size distribution occurs, but also the volume fraction of the twinned material increases significantly. These findings shed light on the growth dynamics of nanoheteroepitaxial GaAs and contribute to ongoing efforts toward CMOS-compatible Si-based nanophotonic technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-28dc4aecd4df43cbaa4ead66d342a7552025-08-20T03:32:17ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-07-011514108310.3390/nano15141083Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBEAdriana Rodrigues0Anagha Kamath1Hannah-Sophie Illner2Navid Kafi3Oliver Skibitzki4Martin Schmidbauer5Fariba Hatami6Institut für Physik, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, GermanyInstitut für Physik, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, GermanyInstitut für Physik, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, GermanyInstitut für Physik, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, GermanyIHP-Leibniz Institut für Innovative Mikroelektronik, 15236 Frankfurt (Oder), GermanyLeibniz Institut für Kristallzüchtung, Max-Born-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, GermanyInstitut für Physik, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, GermanyThe monolithic integration of III-V semiconductors with silicon (Si) is a critical step toward advancing optoelectronic and photonic devices. In this work, we present GaAs nanoheteroepitaxy (NHE) on Si nanotips using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GS-MBE). We discuss the selective growth of fully relaxed GaAs nanoislands on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible Si(001) nanotip wafers. Nanotip wafers were fabricated using a state-of-the-art 0.13 μm SiGe Bipolar CMOS pilot line on 200 mm wafers. Our investigation focuses on understanding the influence of the growth conditions on the morphology, crystalline structure, and defect formation of the GaAs islands. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of the GaAs islands were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. For samples with less deposition, the GaAs islands exhibit a monomodal size distribution, with an average effective diameter ranging between 100 and 280 nm. These islands display four distinct facet orientations corresponding to the {001} planes. As the deposition increases, larger islands with multiple crystallographic facets emerge, accompanied by a transition from a monomodal to a bimodal growth mode. Single twinning is observed in all samples. However, with increasing deposition, not only a bimodal size distribution occurs, but also the volume fraction of the twinned material increases significantly. These findings shed light on the growth dynamics of nanoheteroepitaxial GaAs and contribute to ongoing efforts toward CMOS-compatible Si-based nanophotonic technologies.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1083epitaxial GaAs on SinanoheteroepitaxydefectsSi photonics
spellingShingle Adriana Rodrigues
Anagha Kamath
Hannah-Sophie Illner
Navid Kafi
Oliver Skibitzki
Martin Schmidbauer
Fariba Hatami
Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBE
Nanomaterials
epitaxial GaAs on Si
nanoheteroepitaxy
defects
Si photonics
title Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBE
title_full Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBE
title_fullStr Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBE
title_full_unstemmed Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBE
title_short Monolithically Integrated GaAs Nanoislands on CMOS-Compatible Si Nanotips Using GS-MBE
title_sort monolithically integrated gaas nanoislands on cmos compatible si nanotips using gs mbe
topic epitaxial GaAs on Si
nanoheteroepitaxy
defects
Si photonics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1083
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