Analysis of Ge micro-cavities with in-plane tensile strains above 2%

Ge on Si micro-disk, ring and racetrack cavities are fabricated and strained using silicon nitride stressor layers. Photoluminescence measurements demonstrate emission at wavelengths >= 2.3 mu m, and the highest strained samples demonstrate in-plane, tensile strains of > 2\%, as measured by Raman spectroscopy. Strain analysis of the micro-disk structures demonstrate that shear strains are present in circular cavities, which can detrimentally effect the carrier concentration for direct band transitions. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of proposed cavity structure are discussed. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America