Spontaneous oscillations and waves during chemical vapor deposition of InN

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Aug 22;101(8):086102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.086102. Epub 2008 Aug 22.

Abstract

We report observations of self-sustaining spatiotemporal chemical oscillations during metal-organic chemical vapor deposition of InN onto GaN. Under constant supply of vapor precursors trimethylindium and NH3, the condensed-phase cycles between crystalline islands of InN and elemental In droplets. Propagating fronts between regions of InN and In occur with linear, circular, and spiral geometries. The results are described by a model in which the nitrogen activity produced by surface-catalyzed NH3 decomposition varies with the exposed surface areas of GaN, InN, and In.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Gallium / chemistry
  • Indium / chemistry*
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nitrogen Compounds / chemistry*
  • Volatilization
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Nitrogen Compounds
  • Indium
  • Gallium