We report on UV Raman spectroscopy of InxGa1−xN thin films grown on (0001) sapphire substrates using a specially designed metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor. Eight films were examined in the compositional range 0<×<0.50. Mid and deep-UV Raman spectroscopy was done with the 325.2 nm line of the HeCd laser and the 244 nm line of a double frequency Ar ion laser. The mode behavior of the A1(LO) and E2 phonons was also investigated. We have found compelling evidence for one-mode behavior for the A1(LO) phonon mode, while our data for the E2 mode deviates from the predictions for one-mode behavior. The results for the A1(LO) mode are consistent with the previously reported phonon mode behavior in AlGaN alloys. Also, evidence regarding the presence of compositional inhomogeneities and spinodal decomposition in InGaN thin films is presented.

The quasi-LO and quasi-TO modes of AlN crystallite were investigated. The analysis indicates that the Raman mode behavior concurs with Loudons’ model of mode-mixing in wurtzite (WZ) structure crystals which is due to the long-range electrostatic field. Phononlifetimes of GaN and AlN crystallites were studied via Raman lineshape. It was found that the low energy E2 mode lifetime is about an order of magnitude longer than that of the other modes, and that impurities impact significantly the phonon-lifetimes.

The quasi-LO and quasi-TO modes of AIN crystallite were investigated. The analysis indicates that the Raman mode behavior concurs with Loudons’ model of mode-mixing in wurtzite (WZ) structure crystals which is due to the long-range electrostatic field. Phonon-lifetimes of GaN and AIN crystallites were studied via Raman lineshape. It was found that the low energy E2 mode lifetime is about an order of magnitude longer than that of the other modes, and that impurities impact significantly the phonon-lifetimes.