Abstract
We demonstrate that metal oxides exhibit the same relationship between lattice strain and electronic band gap as nonpolar semiconductors. Epitaxial growth of ultrathin [111]-oriented single-crystal indium-oxide films on a mismatched Y-stabilized zirconia substrate reveals a net band-gap decrease, which is dissipated as the film thickness is increased and the epitaxial strain is relieved. Calculation of the band-gap deformation of In2O 3, using a hybrid density functional, confirms that, while the uniaxial lattice contraction along [111] results in a band-gap increase due to a raise of the conduction band, the lattice expansion in the (111) plane caused by the substrate mismatch compensates, resulting in a net band-gap decrease. These results have direct implications for tuning the band gaps and transport properties of oxides for application in optoelectronic devices.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 161202 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 83 |
Issue number | 16 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Apr 12 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics