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Integration of InP membranes with embedded InGaAs quantum wells on silicon-on-insulator by tunnel epitaxy

Zhao Yan, T. Grieb, Weiwei Zhang, M. Ebert, F. Krause, G. Reed, David Thomson, A. Rosenauer et al.

Nanotechnology, 2026

Abstract

Integration of III–V membranes on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates offers a promising route to provide on-chip gain for dense silicon (Si) photonics. Here, we present a materials study of InP membranes with embedded InGaAs multi-quantum wells (MQWs) directly grown above the Si waveguide layer via a tunnel epitaxy process. Cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy, combining differential phase contrast imaging, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and atomic-column-based strain analysis, confirms high-quality laterally grown InP membranes with defects confined to the V-groove region and elucidates facet-dependent MQW formation on (111)A, (110), and (111)B facets. Both EDX and strain analysis consistently reveal high-In, highly compressively strained (110) QWs (>80% In), and no misfit dislocations are observed at InP/InGaAs interfaces. In addition, under identical precursor ratios, ultra-thin QWs incorporate a higher indium composition than a thick bulk InGaAs region. These results provide practical guidance for designing efficient active regions in future electrically injected, Si-waveguide-coupled InP membrane lasers on SOI.

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