Spatially resolved photoluminescence in partially ordered GaInP2

Scanning confocal microscopy combined with high-resolution spectroscopy is used to probe the spatial variations in the low-temperature (5.0 K) photolu minescence (PL) of partially ordered GaInP2 with a spatial resolution of 0. 7 mu m. We observe large regions (1-2 mu m) wherein the excitonic PL is sup pressed up to a factor of four ("defect- rich" regions) when compared to un affected areas. These defect-rich regions show a commensurate enhancement i n the lower energy below gap emission. The spatial extent of this effect is inconsistent with the picture that the low-energy emission originates sole ly at the antiphase boundaries of the ordered domains and therefore must or iginate from other defects within the ordered domain as well. (C) 1999 Amer ican Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)02005-7].