Structural, electronic and optical properties of (Sc,Y)N solid solutions

Abstract The refractory nitrides ScN and YN are candidate semiconductors for optoelectronic and DMS applications. Studies have included alloying ScN with other III–V semiconductors such as GaN to engineer the electronic, optical and structural properties. We suggest that ScN–YN and higher order alloys will lead to further control of these properties. We demonstrate complete solid solubility in the ScN–YN system through analysis of sputter deposited composition-spread thin films. Characterization of electrical, optical and structural properties is presented as a function of composition, demonstrating excellent epitaxy, high mobility, high absorptivity and high energy optical gap across the entire composition range.