A method for growth of indium-containing nitride films is described, particularly a method for fabricating a gallium, indium, and nitrogen containing material. On a substrate having a surface region a material having a first indium-rich concentration is formed, followed by a second thickness of material having a first indium-poor concentration. Then a third thickness of material having a second indium-rich concentration is added to form a sandwiched structure which is thermally processed to cause formation of well-crystallized, relaxed material within a vicinity of a surface region of the sandwich structure.