journal article·2009-12

Atomic-scale mapping of quantum dots formed by droplet epitaxy

Divine P. Kumah, Sergey Shusterman, Yossi Paltiel, Yizhak Yacoby, Roy Clarke

Nature Nanotechnology· Volume 4· Issue 12
Publisher page

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) have applications in optoelectronic devices, quantum information processing and energy harvesting. Although the droplet epitaxy fabrication method allows for a wide range of material combinations to be used, little is known about the growth mechanisms involved. Here we apply direct X-ray methods to derive sub-ångström resolution maps of QDs crystallized from indium droplets exposed to antimony, as well as their interface with a GaAs (100) substrate. We find that the QDs form coherently and extend a few unit cells below the substrate surface. This facilitates a droplet-substrate exchange of atoms, resulting in core-shell structures that contain a surprisingly small amount of In. The work provides the first atomic-scale mapping of the interface between epitaxial QDs and a substrate, and establishes the usefulness of X-ray phasing techniques for this and similar systems.
Source: europepmc · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices · Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties · Semiconductor materials and devices

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

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