Concentration gradient at an InP/GaAs interface determined by Auger analysis on a chemical bevel

Abstract
Experimental results of Auger profiles obtained on a chemical bevel of an InP/GaAs structure are reported. A theoretical procedure is established to convert the intensity profile into concentration profiles. It is applied to evaluate the concentration distribution of each species–Ga, In, As, P–independently of each others with a precision of ±5%. It is verified that the composition of the interface is GaxIn1−xAsyP1−y (0≤x, y≤1). Owing to differences between the atomic diffusions of III‐ and V‐type elements, the transition region can be subdivided into three regions having the following compositions: (i) GaAsyP1−y with 0.87≤y≤1; (ii) GaxIn1−xAsyP1−y with 0≤y≤0.87 and 0.24≤xxIn1−x with x<0.24. The width of each region is also indicated.