Surface morphology of [112̄0] a-plane GaN growth by MOCVD on [11̄02] r-plane sapphire

Nonpolar a-plane [110] GaN has been grown on r-plane [102] sapphire by MOCVD, and investigated by high resolution X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. As opposed to the c-direction, this particular orientation is non-polar, and it avoids polarization charge, the associated screening charge and the consequent band bending. Both low-temperature GaN buffer and high-temperature AlN buffer are used for a-plane GaN growth on r-plane sapphire, and the triangular pits and pleat morphology come forth with different buffers, the possible reasons for which are discussed. The triangular and pleat direction are also investigated. A novel modulate buffer is used for a-plane GaN growth on r-plane sapphire, and with this technique, the crystal quality has been greatly improved.