Optical properties of metamorphic type-I InAs$_{1-x}$Sb$_{x}$/Al$_{y}$In$_{1-y}$As quantum wells grown on GaAs for the mid-infrared spectral range

Abstract: We analyse the optical properties of InAs${1-x}$Sb${x}$/Al${y}$In${1-y}$As quantum wells (QWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy on relaxed Al${y}$In${1-y}$As metamorphic buffer layers (MBLs) using GaAs substrates. The use of Al${y}$In${1-y}$As MBLs allows for the growth of QWs having large type-I band offsets, and emission wavelengths $> 3$ $\mu$m. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements for QWs having Sb compositions up to $x = 10$\% demonstrate strong room temperature emission up to 3.4 $\mu$m, as well as enhancement of the PL intensity with increasing wavelength. To quantify the trends in the measured PL we calculate the QW spontaneous emission, using a theoretical model based on an 8-band $\vec{k} \cdot \vec{p}$ Hamiltonian. The theoretical calculations, which are in good agreement with experiment, identify that the observed enhancement in PL intensity with increasing wavelength is associated with the impact of compressive strain on the QW valence band structure. Our results highlight the potential of type-I InAs${1-x}$Sb${x}$/Al${y}$In${1-y}$As metamorphic QWs to address several limitations associated with existing heterostructures operating in the mid-infrared, establishing these novel heterostructures as a suitable platform for the development of mid-infrared light-emitting diodes.