Anisotropic polarization of non-polar GaN quantum dot emission

We report on experimental and theoretical studies of the polarization selection rules of the emission of non-polar GaN/AlN self-assembled quantum dots. Time-integrated and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements have been performed to determine the degree of polarization. It is found that the emission of some samples can be predominantly polarized parallel to the wurtzite c axis, in striking difference with the previously reported results for bulk GaN and its heterostructures, in which the emission was preferentially polarized perpendicular to the c axis. Theoretical calculations based on an 8-band k·p model are used to analyze the relative importance of strain, confinement and quantum dot shape on the polarization selection rules. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)