Semiconductor R&D

Phonons are quantized lattice vibrations in solid state samples and can typically be measured in far or mid infrared spectral range, e.g. by reflectance or transmittance spectroscopy. Phonon energies, band shape etc. can reveal valuable information on sample structure and quality. Bruker research FT-IR spectrometers can cover an extremely broad spectral range and in particular vacuum spectrometers are the ideal choice for far infrared phonon spectroscopy. Dedicated sample compartment accessories, including cryostat adaptions, offer various experimental options.

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is an important tool for semiconductor R&D. The sample emission induced by laser excitation gives deep insight into e.g. band structure and charge carrier details. Based on its FT-IR R&D spectrometers, Bruker offers dedicated PL modules with various options including e.g. cryostat adaption. For the most demanding case of mid infrared PL a dedicated vacuum PL module adapted to the VERTEX 80v vacuum spectrometer with its unique step-scan performance is the most powerful solution.

Besides photoluminescence spectroscopy, studies of bandgap, excitons and other electronic features of semiconductors can e.g. also be done via transmittance spectroscopy. Due to the unique versatility of Bruker FT-IR R&D spectrometers, this is possible over a very broad spectral range from far infrared even up to the VIS/UV range. For highest sensitivity, vacuum spectrometers with completely evacuated optics bench, allow going to the limits. Dedicated accessories allow to realize various experimental setups.

Semiconductor hetero structures are nanostructured and often periodical semiconductor structures such as quantum wells, super lattices, quantum dots etc. Besides photoluminescence  spectroscopy, also reflectance or transmittance spectroscopy with Bruker FT-IR R&D spectrometers can be valuable tools.