High quality GaN films on (0001) sapphire substrates were grown by a commercial MOCVD system (Thomas Swan Corp.).The etch pits and threading dislocations(TDs) in GaN films have been studied by chemical etching methods such as mixed acid solution (H 3PO 4∶H 2SO 4=1∶3) and molten KOH,HCl vapor etching method,scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope(TEM).SEM images of the same position of GaN films with HCl vapor etching and wet etching methods show notably different densities and shapes of etching pits.The results indicate that HCl vapor etching can show pure edge,pure screw and mixed TDs,mixed acid solution can show pure screw and mixed TDs and molten KOH wet etching only can show pure screw TDs.
