The origin of optical gain in cubic InGaN grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract

The optical properties of cubic InGaN samples with varying In content are investigated to provide insight into the processes responsible for optical amplification. The samples were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs substrates. The structural and optical properties were studied by means of time-resolved and time-integrated photoluminescence spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence microscopy, as well as gain measurements at various temperatures. From these measurements, localized states are proposed to be responsible as recombination mechanism. The cathodoluminescence measurements evidence a direct correlation of the degree of In fluctuation and the efficiency of optical amplification of the samples.