New Ge-Sn materials with adjustable bandgaps and lattice constants

The synthesis and optical properties of a new class of Si-based infrared semiconductors in the Ge _1-x Sn _x system are described. Chemical methods based on deuterium-stabilized Sn hydrides and UHV-CVD were used to prepare a wide range of metastable compositions and structures directly on silicon. These materials exhibit high thermal stability, superior crystallinity, and unique crystallographic and optical properties, such as adjustable band gaps and lattice constants. These properties are characterized by Rutherford backscattering, low-energy secondary ion mass spectrometry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction as well as infrared and Raman spectroscopies and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The films grow essentially strain free and display a strong compositional dependence of the band structure.