InGaN islands and thin films grown on epitaxial graphene

In this work, the growth of InGaN on epitaxial graphene by molecular beam epitaxy is studied. The nucleation of the alloy follows a three-dimensional (3D) growth mode in the observed temperature range of 515 °C-765 °C, leading to the formation of dendrite-like islands. Careful Raman scattering experiments show that the graphene underneath is not degraded by the InGaN growth. Moreover, lateral displacement of the nuclei during an atomic force microscopy (AFM) scan demonstrates weak bonding interactions between the InGaN and the graphene. Finally, a longer growth time of the alloy gives rise to a compact thin film in a partial epitaxial relationship with the SiC underneath the graphene.