Exploring the Band Structure of Wurtzite InAs Nanowires Using Photocurrent Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study uses polarized photocurrent spectroscopy to analyze the band structure of Wurtzite InAs nanowires, revealing optical transitions and key electronic parameters crucial for semiconductor engineering.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed experimental investigation of the band structure of Wurtzite InAs nanowires using photocurrent spectroscopy, aligning with theoretical expectations.

Findings

Identification of optical transitions between valence and conduction bands.

Determination of spin-orbit and crystal field energies.

Correlation of photocurrent spectra with photoluminescence data.

Abstract

We use polarized photocurrent spectroscopy in a nanowire device to investigate the band structure of hexagonal Wurtzite InAs. Signatures of optical transitions between four valence bands and two conduction bands are observed which are consistent with the symmetries expected from group theory. The ground state transition energy identified from photocurrent spectra is seen to be consistent with photoluminescence emitted from a cluster of nanowires from the same growth substrate. From the energies of the observed bands we determine the spin orbit and crystal field energies in Wurtzite InAs. This information is essential to the development of crystal phase engineering of this important III-V semiconductor.