Cubic GaN formation under nitrogen-deficient conditions

We have studied crystal structure and associated defects in GaN/α-Al₂O₃ (0001) films grown under nitrogen-deficient conditions by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and pulsed laser deposition. N-deficient films exhibit polycrystalline structure with a mixture of cubic zinc-blende and wurtzite hexagonal GaN grains retaining tetragonal bonding across the boundaries and hence the epitaxial orientations and polarity. Renucleation of the wurtzite phase at different {111} planes of cubic GaN results in a rough and faceted surface of the film. We elucidate that the cubic phase is more stable under the nitrogen deficiency.