Vapor-phase epitaxy of high-crystallinity GaN films using Ga sub(2)O vapor and NH sub(3)

In this study, vapor-phase epitaxy (VPE) of GaN oriented-film was performed using Ga sub(2)O vapor as the Ga source. Ga sub(2)O vapor was obtained by reducing Ga sub(2)O sub(3) powder with H sub(2) gas at 1000 degree C. The Ga sub(2)O vapor was then reacted with NH sub(3) on a seed substrate at 1100-1150 degree C. A high quality GaN substrate (1 mm thick, with full widths at half maximum of GaN (0 0 0 2) X-ray rocking curve of 107-110 arcsec) prepared by the Na-flux method were used as the seed substrate. After 30 min of growth, a 3- mu m flat GaN (0 0 0 1) epitaxial layer was grown on the seed substrate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that the FWHM of the GaN epitaxial layer was 74-111 arcsec, showing high crystallinity. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis showed that the oxygen concentration in the epitaxial layer was 1.5x10 super(18) atoms/cm super(3). Although an oxide was used as the raw material, oxygen concentration close to those in GaN crystal grown by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) and metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) were achieved. We concluded that the VPE method using Ga sub(2)O vapor has potential as a simple vapor-phase-growing technique for high-quality GaN films.