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  • Local ordering in Ge/Ge–Sn semiconductor alloy core/shell nanowires revealed by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS)
Title: Local ordering in Ge/Ge–Sn semiconductor alloy core/shell nanowires revealed by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS)
Short-range atomic order in semiconductor alloys is a relatively unexplored topic that may promote design of new materials with unexpected properties. Here, local atomic ordering is investigated in Ge–Sn alloys, a group-IV system that is attractive for its enhanced optoelectronic properties achievable via a direct gap for Sn concentrations exceeding ≈10 at. %. The substantial misfit strain imposed on Ge–Sn thin films during growth on bulk Si or Ge substrates can induce defect formation; however, misfit strain can be accommodated by growing Ge–Sn alloy films on Ge nanowires, which effectively act as elastically compliant substrates. In this work, Ge core/Ge 1−x Sn x ( x ≈  0.1) shell nanowires were characterized with extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) to elucidate their local atomic environment. Simultaneous fitting of high-quality EXAFS data collected at both the Ge K-edge and the Sn K-edge reveals a large (≈ 40%) deficiency of Sn in the first coordination shell around a Sn atom relative to a random alloy, thereby providing the first direct experimental evidence of significant short-range order in this semiconductor alloy system. Comparison of path length data from the EXAFS measurements with density functional theory simulations provides alloy atomic structures consistent with this conclusion.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2003266
PAR ID:
10423657
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Applied Physics Letters
Volume:
122
Issue:
6
ISSN:
0003-6951
Page Range / eLocation ID:
062103
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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