Size distribution and electroluminescence of self-assembled Ge dots

In this article we study the electroluminescence of p-i-n diode structures with Ge dots consisting of coherent three-dimensional small (pyramids) and larger (dome) islands. The Ge dots are formed through strain-induced islanding. The diode structures, including one layer with Ge dots, were deposited on Si mesas with variable areas in order to study the influence of limited area deposition on self-assembling. It was observed that the reduction of deposited area improves island uniformity. The combined analysis of island distribution and electroluminescence spectra has lead to the conclusion that domes in small diodes have a smaller Si content or are less relaxed than domes in larger diodes. The diodes are found to emit up to room temperature near the optical communication wavelength of 1.3 microns.