Analyzing real-time surface modification of operating semiconductor laser diodes using cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy

R. J. Cobley, P. Rees, K. S. Teng, S. P. Wilks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has been used to study in-operation changes that occur at the active region of clean-cleaved semiconductor laser diodes. A tunneling model that allows the inclusion of tip-induced band bending and surface defect states has been used to study the origin of the surface changes which give rise to the observed modification. Low-doped layers close to the active region are found to undergo both a reduction in doping concentration and an increase in the surface defect state density as the lasers are operated. These changes ultimately lead to device failure. Under different tunneling modes STM can be sensitive to one effect or the other, and the importance of modeling the changes to confirm which are occurring is emphasized.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number094507
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume107
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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