Investigation of Ge1-xSnx/Ge quantum-well structures as optical gain media

Li-Chou Sun; Hui Li; H. H. Cheng; Guo-En Chang

doi:10.1117/12.2245287

Abstract

An efficient Si-based laser is one of the most important components for photonic integrated circuits to break the bottleneck of data transport over optical networks. The main challenge is to create gain media based on group-IV semiconductors. Here we present an investigation of using low-dimensional Ge_1-xSn_x/Ge quantum-well (QW) structures pseudomorphically grown on Ge-buffered Si substrates as optical gain media for efficient Si-based lasers. Epitaxial growth of Ge_1-xSn_x/Ge QW structures on Ge-buffer Si substrate was carried out using low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy techniques. The light emission properties of the grown Ge_1-xSn_x/Ge QW structure were studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy, and clear redshifts of emission peaks were observed. Theoretical analysis of band structures indicates that Ge_1-xSn_x well sandwiched by Ge barriers can form type-I alignment at Г point with a sufficient potential barrier height to confine carriers in the Ge_1-xSn_x well, thereby enhancing efficient electron-hole direct recombination. Our calculations also show that the energy difference between the lowest Г-conduction subband and L conduction subband can be reduced with increasing Sn content, thereby enabling optical gain. These results suggest that Ge_1-xSn_x/Ge QW structures are promising for optical gain media to develop efficient Si-based light emitters.

Citation Download Citation

Li-Chou Sun, Li-Chou Sun, Hui Li, Hui Li, H. H. Cheng, H. H. Cheng, Guo-En Chang, Guo-En Chang, } "Investigation of Ge_1-xSn_x/Ge quantum-well structures as optical gain media", Proc. SPIE 10027, Nanophotonics and Micro/Nano Optics III, 1002710 (4 November 2016); doi: 10.1117/12.2245287; https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2245287

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

PERSONAL SIGN IN
Full access may be available with your subscription

Email or Username Forgot your username?

Password Forgot your password?

Show

Remember Email/Username on this computer

Remember Password

No SPIE account? Create an account
or Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $14.40

Non-members: $18.00 ADD TO CART

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years