Nanostructured amorphous group III nitrides: potential for refractive index engineering

Amorphous and nanocrystalline group III nitrides can be formed with relative ease in comparison with fully single crystalline material, and they show at least some properties in common with the crystalline form. Here we report experiments with the preparation of these materials, focussing especially on the potential to form patterned films with structures whose dimensions are comparable to visible wavelengths. There are clear opportunities to form both self-assembled and controlled patterns.