First–Principles Calculations of Band Offsets in GaAs/AlAs System

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Science, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, 51335-1996, Iran.

2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Urmia University, Keshavarz Street, Nazloo, 5756151818, Urmia, Iran.

Abstract

The lattice-matched system (GaAs)n/(AlAs)n superlattice is calculated for two different values of n=3 and 6 within ab initio pseudopotential density-functional theory using Quantum Espresso package of program exploiting the ultra-soft atomic pseudopotentials.  Their band offsets, which is a well-known and inextricable problem at semiconductor interfaces, have been determined in this paper and were compared with experimental results. Discontinuities of valance and conduction bands were obtained as 0.46 and 0.25 eV, respectively.  The averaged self-consistent potential  across the [001] interface in GaAs is about 0.061 eV higher than its value in AlAs. The local density of states for both superlattices was also studied. The effect of different factors e.g. orientation, transitivity, and composition dependence is reported in this study. We found that, in the [110] direction of GaAs/AlAs superlattice, the dependence of the band offset on the orientation is negligible.  The calculated band gap of  is linearly dependent on aluminum content.

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References

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Progress in Physics of Applied Materials
Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 2
November 2022
Pages 71-75

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 January 2022
  • Revise Date: 02 November 2022
  • Accept Date: 08 November 2022

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