Raman scattering studies of strain effects in (100) and (311)B GaAs1−xBix epitaxial layers

We report room-temperature Raman studies of strained (100) and (311)B GaAs1−xBix epitaxial layers for x ≤ 0.039. The Raman spectra exhibit a two-mode behavior, as well as disorder-activated GaAs-like phonons. The experimental results show that the GaAs-like LO(Γ) mode experiences a strong composition-dependent redshift as a result of alloying. The peak frequency decreases linearly from the value for pure GaAs (∼293 cm−1) with the alloyed Bi fraction x and the introduced in-plane lattice strain ε∥, by ΔωLO=Δωalloy−Δωstrain. X-ray diffraction measurements are used to determine x and ε∥ allowing Δωalloy to be decoupled and is estimated to be −12(±4) cm−1/x for (100) GaAs1−xBix. ΔωLO is measured to be roughly double for samples grown on (311)B-oriented substrates to that of (100) GaAs. This large difference in redshift is accounted for by examining the Bi induced strain, effects from alloying, and defects formed during high-index (311)B crystal growth.