IV-II-VI Wide Bandgap Alloys and Superlattices

Astralux will develop IV-II-VI compound semiconductors by synthesizing compounds and characterizing their properties as a function of the deposition parameters. The material will be a combination of lattice-matched semiconductors that will be generated as alloys and superlattices. Electronic and optical properties will vary by adjusting the composition. The II-VI compound semiconductor has optical and piezoelectric properties that can enrich use of the technologically more advanced group I material. II-VI semiconductor piezoelectric properties can be used to generate acoustic waves, which permit acousto-optic modulation of light signals. Such modulation can be controlled by integrated circuits in the group IV semiconductor. The new technology for making IV-II-VI semiconductors is capable of automated deposition of epitaxial semiconductors at one-half of the substrate temperature used in more conventional methods.