Efficient Emission from InAlGaAs Single Quantum Dots with Low Lattice Misfit and AlGaAs Indirect Bandgap Barrier

We report on molecular beam epitaxy growth and properties of rarely studied quaternary In_{0.4}(Al_{0.75}Ga_{0.25})_{0.6}As self-assembled quantum dots, which show strong and efficient emission of red light from single quantum dots. The increased yield is, among others, due to efficient energy transfer from indirect band-gap Al_{0.75}Ga_{0.25}As barriers. To maximize photon energy emitted from quantum dots, low In composition, x_{In} = 0.4 was applied, which also lowered the lattice misfit close to the limit of 2D/3D transition in the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode. Time-resolved micro-photoluminescence shows emission at 650-750 nm. Well-resolved single quantum dot photoluminescence lines (decay time of ≈ 1-2 ns) are observed despite a high concentration ≈ 3×10¹¹ cm¯² of quantum dots. We discuss this observation assuming newly a role of carriers or excitons diffusion/tunneling between quantum dots at high surface concentration of dots and a possible role of lattice disorder inside the dot on the exciton lifetime.