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Comparativeab initiostudies on morphology and stability of the C/BN and SiC/GaN heterostructure interfaces

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2017-04-12
JournalMaterials Research Express
AuthorsM. Sznajder, N. Hrushka, Mikołaj Grabowski, Jacek A. Majewski
InstitutionsInstitute of High Pressure Physics, Rzeszów University
Citations1

The morphology, charge distribution, and stability of interfaces in the diamond/c-BN and 3C-SiC/zb-GaN heteropolar junctions grown along the [1 1 1] and [0 0 1] crystallographic directions are obtained from first principles calculations in the framework of density functional theory. It is shown that reconstructions occurring in 3C-SiC/zb-GaN by the Si and C atoms in the abrupt C-Ga, Si-Ga and Si-N, C-N interfaces, respectively, induce charge compensation and stabilize these interfaces. On the contrary, a mutual exchange of these two compensating atoms destroys the energetical stability of the discussed interfaces. Reconstruction of the C-N interface type, common for 3C-SiC/zb-GaN and diamond/c-BN by C atom, is energetically favourable in both heterostructures and it is accompanied by a similar charge transfer in [1 1 1], while the reconstruction of the analogous C-Ga and C-B interfaces is unfavourable in both cases. Finally, it is demonstrated that in the diamond/c-BN junctions grown along the [0 0 1] crystallographic direction, the most stable interfaces are of the C-N type with reconstruction in the uppermost substrate carbon layer.