Time‐resolved photoluminescence study on AlxGa1−xAs spontaneous vertical quantum well structures

We report on time‐resolved photoluminescence study of AlxGa1−xAs spontaneous vertical quantum well (SVQW) structures on GaAs V‐grooved substrates. Four distinct photoluminescence peaks are observed originating from the spatial nonuniformity of the alloy compositions spontaneously formed during metalorganic vapor phase epitaxial growth. The decay time of the (111)A sidewall AlGaAs decreased with increasing temperature, while that of the SVQW increased. The rise time of the SVQW was found to be longer than the typical value of the exciton formation and increases with increasing temperature, indicating that the exciton formation is not limiting factor of the rise time. These results are explained in terms of the exciton diffusion toward the SVQW from the outer AlGaAs layers with less Ga compositions. In addition, two dimensionality of the SVQW was evidenced by temperature dependence of the radiative lifetime.