Impact of strain engineering and Sn content on GeSn heterostructured nanomaterials for nanoelectronics and photonic devices

Abstract

Heterostructures based on the GeSn nanocompound have high impact on integrated photonics devices. The promising feature of GeSn nanostructures is its direct bandgap transition that is a result of Sn incorporation in the Ge networks, forming a strained structure. Herein, we demonstrate a deep survey of the strain-controlling mechanisms in GeSn nanomaterials with different methodologies. Using either layer configurations, Sn incorporation, or by external stressors, the emission of different photonic and nanoelectronic applications is controlled. We find that strain engineering modulates the bandgap of GeSn active media to control the region of emission for light emitting diodes, lasing applications, and spectral response for photodetection applications within the mid-IR region of the spectrum and enhances the performance of MOSFETs. This gives GeSn nanocompounds the chance to contribute greatly to IoT physical devices and compete with unstable perovskite materials since GeSn materials can achieve a stable and more reliable performance.