Growth Parameter Based Control of Cation Disorder in MgSnN2 Thin Films

Journal of Electronic Materials (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

MgSnN\(_2\) thin films have been grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates via plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy and analyzed using reflection high-energy electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, optical transmission, and cathodoluminescence. By systematically varying the growth parameters, particularly the substrate temperature, Mg:Sn flux ratio, substrate, and nitrogen flow rate, we were able to achieve high quality films and control disorder in the cation sublattice. This control of disorder allows for the ability to adjust the band gap continuously over a wide range of values.

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Acknowledgements

This work stems from studies of disorder in ZnSnN\(_2\) and MgSnN\(_2\), funded in part by the National Science Foundation (Grants DMR-1410915 and DMR-2003581), and by a Western Michigan University Faculty Research and Creativity Activities Award. The authors acknowledge the financial support of the University of Michigan College of Engineering and NSF Grant DMR-1625671, and technical support from the Michigan Center for Materials Characterization.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA

    Krystal R. York, Robert A. Makin & Steven M. Durbin

  2. Michigan Center for Materials Characterization, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Nancy Senabulya

  3. Applied Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    James P. Mathis & Roy Clarke

  4. School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Roger J. Reeves

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  1. Krystal R. York
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  2. Robert A. Makin
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Correspondence to Krystal R. York.

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York, K.R., Makin, R.A., Senabulya, N. et al. Growth Parameter Based Control of Cation Disorder in MgSnN2 Thin Films. Journal of Elec Materi (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-020-08708-4

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Keywords

  • MgSnN\(_2\)
  • order parameter
  • growth conditions
  • molecular beam epitaxy
  • thin films