Author
Y. Sakurai
Bio: Y. Sakurai is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Epitaxy & Lattice constant. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 1390 citations.
Topics: Epitaxy, Lattice constant, Band gap, Sapphire, Ultraviolet light
Papers
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TL;DR: In this article, a wide gap II-VI semiconductor alloy, MgxZn1−xO, was proposed for the fabrication of heteroepitaxial ultraviolet light emitting devices based on ZnO.
Abstract: We propose a widegap II–VI semiconductor alloy, MgxZn1−xO, for the fabrication of heteroepitaxial ultraviolet light emitting devices based on ZnO. The c-axis oriented MgxZn1−xO films were epitaxially grown by pulsed laser deposition on ZnO epitaxial films and sapphire (0001) substrates using ceramic targets. Solid solution films were prepared with Mg content up to x=0.33, achieving a band gap of 3.99 eV at room temperature. MgO impurity phase segregated at x⩾0.36. Lattice constants of MgxZn1−xO films changed slightly (∼1%), increasing in a axis and decreasing in c-axis direction with increasing x. These films showed ultraviolet photoluminescence at energies from 3.36 (x=0) to 3.87 eV (x=0.33) at 4.2 K.
1,441 citations
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TL;DR: The semiconductor ZnO has gained substantial interest in the research community in part because of its large exciton binding energy (60meV) which could lead to lasing action based on exciton recombination even above room temperature.
Abstract: The semiconductor ZnO has gained substantial interest in the research community in part because of its large exciton binding energy (60meV) which could lead to lasing action based on exciton recombination even above room temperature. Even though research focusing on ZnO goes back many decades, the renewed interest is fueled by availability of high-quality substrates and reports of p-type conduction and ferromagnetic behavior when doped with transitions metals, both of which remain controversial. It is this renewed interest in ZnO which forms the basis of this review. As mentioned already, ZnO is not new to the semiconductor field, with studies of its lattice parameter dating back to 1935 by Bunn [Proc. Phys. Soc. London 47, 836 (1935)], studies of its vibrational properties with Raman scattering in 1966 by Damen et al. [Phys. Rev. 142, 570 (1966)], detailed optical studies in 1954 by Mollwo [Z. Angew. Phys. 6, 257 (1954)], and its growth by chemical-vapor transport in 1970 by Galli and Coker [Appl. Phys. ...
10,260 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the status of zinc oxide as a semiconductor is discussed and the role of impurities and defects in the electrical conductivity of ZnO is discussed, as well as the possible causes of unintentional n-type conductivity.
Abstract: In the past ten years we have witnessed a revival of, and subsequent rapid expansion in, the research on zinc oxide (ZnO) as a semiconductor. Being initially considered as a substrate for GaN and related alloys, the availability of high-quality large bulk single crystals, the strong luminescence demonstrated in optically pumped lasers and the prospects of gaining control over its electrical conductivity have led a large number of groups to turn their research for electronic and photonic devices to ZnO in its own right. The high electron mobility, high thermal conductivity, wide and direct band gap and large exciton binding energy make ZnO suitable for a wide range of devices, including transparent thin-film transistors, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes that operate in the blue and ultraviolet region of the spectrum. In spite of the recent rapid developments, controlling the electrical conductivity of ZnO has remained a major challenge. While a number of research groups have reported achieving p-type ZnO, there are still problems concerning the reproducibility of the results and the stability of the p-type conductivity. Even the cause of the commonly observed unintentional n-type conductivity in as-grown ZnO is still under debate. One approach to address these issues consists of growing high-quality single crystalline bulk and thin films in which the concentrations of impurities and intrinsic defects are controlled. In this review we discuss the status of ZnO as a semiconductor. We first discuss the growth of bulk and epitaxial films, growth conditions and their influence on the incorporation of native defects and impurities. We then present the theory of doping and native defects in ZnO based on density-functional calculations, discussing the stability and electronic structure of native point defects and impurities and their influence on the electrical conductivity and optical properties of ZnO. We pay special attention to the possible causes of the unintentional n-type conductivity, emphasize the role of impurities, critically review the current status of p-type doping and address possible routes to controlling the electrical conductivity in ZnO. Finally, we discuss band-gap engineering using MgZnO and CdZnO alloys.
3,291 citations
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TL;DR: Wurtzitic ZnO is a widebandgap semiconductor which has many applications, such as piezoelectric transducers, varistors, phosphors, and transparent conducting films as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Wurtzitic ZnO is a wide-bandgap (3.437 eV at 2 K) semiconductor which has many applications, such as piezoelectric transducers, varistors, phosphors, and transparent conducting films. Most of these applications require only polycrystalline material; however, recent successes in producing large-area single crystals have opened up the possibility of producing blue and UV light emitters, and high-temperature, high-power transistors. The main advantages of ZnO as a light emitter are its large exciton binding energy (60 meV), and the existence of well-developed bulk and epitaxial growth processes; for electronic applications, its attractiveness lies in having high breakdown strength and high saturation velocity. Optical UV lasing, at both low and high temperatures, has already been demonstrated, although efficient electrical lasing must await the further development of good, p-type material. ZnO is also much more resistant to radiation damage than are other common semiconductor materials, such as Si, GaAs, CdS, and even GaN; thus, it should be useful for space applications.
2,573 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a new technique to fabricate p-type ZnO reproducibly, and showed high-quality undoped films with electron mobility exceeding that in the bulk.
Abstract: Since the successful demonstration of a blue light-emitting diode (LED)1, potential materials for making short-wavelength LEDs and diode lasers have been attracting increasing interest as the demands for display, illumination and information storage grow2,3,4. Zinc oxide has substantial advantages including large exciton binding energy, as demonstrated by efficient excitonic lasing on optical excitation5,6. Several groups have postulated the use of p-type ZnO doped with nitrogen, arsenic or phosphorus7,8,9,10, and even p–n junctions11,12,13. However, the choice of dopant and growth technique remains controversial and the reliability of p-type ZnO is still under debate14. If ZnO is ever to produce long-lasting and robust devices, the quality of epitaxial layers has to be improved as has been the protocol in other compound semiconductors15. Here we report high-quality undoped films with electron mobility exceeding that in the bulk. We have used a new technique to fabricate p-type ZnO reproducibly. Violet electroluminescence from homostructural p–i–n junctions is demonstrated at room-temperature.
1,964 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the lattice constants of both a and c axes of wurtzite Zn1−xMnxO films (x < 0.35) increase and the band gap expands although considerable in-gap absorption develops.
Abstract: Epitaxial thin films of an oxide-diluted magnetic semiconductor, Mn-doped ZnO, were fabricated by pulsed-laser deposition technique. Solubility of Mn into ZnO exceeds thermal equilibrium limit as a result of nonequilibrium film growth process. As Mn content is increased, the lattice constants of both a and c axes of wurtzite Zn1−xMnxO films (x<0.35) increase and the band gap expands although considerable in-gap absorption develops. Itinerant electrons over 1019 cm−3 can be doped into the Zn1−xMnxO films by Al doping, in contrast to low carrier density in the other II–VI diluted magnetic semiconductors. The temperature dependence of the resistivity is almost metallic and considerable magnetoresistance is observed at low temperatures.
657 citations