Abstract:
Primary defects were introduced into n-type gallium nitride (GaN) thin films by 1.6 MeV-proton bombardment at 20 K. The electronic states of these defects were investigated by means of optical space charge spectroscopy. An until now unreported primary defect, HP1, with an electronic state close to the valence band edge was detected. HP1 can be photo-ionised with photon energies of 3.4 eV. It was found to be stable up to 235 K but anneals quickly at temperatures above 240 K.
