Fluorine-plasma treated AlGaN/GaN high electronic mobility transistors under off-state overdrive stress

Influences of off-state overdrive stress on the fluorine-plasma treated AlGaN/GaN high-electronic mobility transistors (HEMTs) are experimentally investigated. It is observed that the reverse leakage current between the gate and source decreases after the off-state stress, whereas the current between the gate and drain increases. By analyzing those changes of the reverse currents based on the Frenkel-Poole model, we realize that the ionization of fluorine ions occurs during the off-state stress. Furthermore, threshold voltage degradation is also observed after the off-state stress, but the degradations of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs treated with different F-plasma RF powers are different. By comparing the differences between those devices, we find that the F-ions incorporated in the GaN buffer layer play an important role in averting degradation. Lastly, suggestions to obtain a more stable fluorine-plasma treated AlGaN/GaN HEMT are put forwarded.     

Improvement of breakdown characteristics of an A1GaN/GaN HEMT with a U-type gate foot for millimeter-wave power application

<正>In this study,the physics-based device simulation tool Silvaco ATLAS is used to characterize the electrical properties of an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor(HEMT) with a U-type gate foot.The U-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMT mainly features a gradually changed sidewall angle,which effectively mitigates the electric field in the channel, thus obtaining enhanced off-state breakdown characteristics.At the same time,only a small additional gate capacitance and decreased gate resistance ensure excellent RF characteristics for the U-gate device.U-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs are feasible through adjusting the etching conditions of an inductively coupled plasma system,without introducing any extra process steps.The simulation results are confirmed by experimental measurements.These features indicate that U-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs might be promising candidates for use in miltimeter-wave power applications.     

Breakdown mechanisms in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors with different GaN channel thickness values

In this paper,the off-state breakdown characteristics of two different AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors（HEMTs）,featuring a 50-nm and a 150-nm GaN thick channel layer,respectively,are compared.The HEMT with a thick channel exhibits a little larger pinch-off drain current but significantly enhanced off-state breakdown voltage(SV_off).Device simulation indicates that thickening the channel increases the drain-induced barrier lowering（DIBL） but reduces the lateral electric field in the channel and buffer underneath the gate.The increase of BV_off in the thick channel device is due to the reduction of the electric field.These results demonstrate that it is necessary to select an appropriate channel thickness to balance DIBL and BV_off in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.     

Improvement of the off-state breakdown voltage with field plate and low-density drain in AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors

We present an AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor(HEMT) device with both field plate(FP) and lowdensity drain(LDD). The LDD is realized by the injection of negatively charged fluorine(F-) ions under low power in the space between the gate and the drain electrodes. With a small-size FP and a LDD length equal to only 31% of the gate-drain spacing, the device effectively modifies the electric field distribution and achieves a breakdown voltage enhancement up to two times when compared with a device with only FP.     

具有p-GaN岛状埋层耐压结构的横向AlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管

GaN基高电子迁移率晶体管(HEMT)相对较低的击穿电压严重限制了其大功率应用.为了进一步改善器件的击穿特性,通过在n-GaN外延缓冲层中引入六个等间距p-GaN岛掩埋缓冲层(PIBL)构成p-n结,提出一种基于p-GaN埋层结构的新型高耐压AlGaN/GaN HEMT器件结构.Sentaurus TCAD仿真结果表明,在关态高漏极电压状态下,p-GaN埋层引入的多个反向p-n结不仅能够有效调制PIBL AlGaN/GaN HEMT的表面电场和体电场分布,而且对于缓冲层泄漏电流有一定的抑制作用,这保证了栅漏间距为10μm的PIBL HEMT能够达到超过1700 V的高击穿电压(BV),是常规结构AlGaN/GaN HEMT击穿电压(580 V)的3倍.同时,PIBL结构AlGaN/GaN HEMT的特征导通电阻仅为1.47 m?·cm~2,因此获得了高达1966 MW·cm~(-2)的品质因数(FOM=BV~2/R_(on,sp)).相比于常规的AlGaN/GaN HEMT,基于新型p-GaN埋岛结构的HEMT器件在保持较低特征导通电阻的同时具有更高的击穿电压,这使得该结构在高功率电力电子器件领域具有很好的应用前景.     

具有部分本征GaN帽层新型AlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管特性分析

为了优化传统Al GaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管(high electron mobility transistors,HEMTs)器件的表面电场,提高击穿电压,本文提出了一种具有部分本征GaN帽层的新型Al GaN/GaN HEMTs器件结构.新型结构通过在Al GaN势垒层顶部、栅电极到漏电极的漂移区之间引入部分本征GaN帽层,由于本征GaN帽层和Al GaN势垒层界面处的极化效应,降低了沟道二维电子气(two dimensional electron gas,2DEG)的浓度,形成了栅边缘低浓度2DEG区域,使得沟道2DEG浓度分区,由均匀分布变为阶梯分布.通过调制沟道2DEG的浓度分布,从而调制了Al GaN/GaN HEMTs器件的表面电场.利用电场调制效应,产生了新的电场峰,且有效降低了栅边缘的高峰电场,Al GaN/GaN HEMTs器件的表面电场分布更加均匀.利用ISE-TCAD软件仿真分析得出:通过设计一定厚度和长度的本征GaN帽层,Al GaN/GaN HEMTs器件的击穿电压从传统结构的427 V提高到新型结构的960 V.由于沟道2DEG浓度减小,沟道电阻增加,使得新型Al GaN/GaN HEMTs器件的最大输出电流减小了9.2%,截止频率几乎保持不变,而最大振荡频率提高了12%.     

基于原位等离子体氮化及低压化学气相沉积-Si_3N_4栅介质的高性能AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs器件的研究

通过对低压化学气相沉积(LPCVD)系统进行改造,实现在沉积Si_3N_4薄膜前的原位等离子体氮化处理,氮等离子体可以有效地降低器件界面处的氧含量和悬挂键,从而获得了较低的LPCVD-Si_3N_4/GaN界面态,通过这种技术制作的MIS-HEMTs器件,在扫描栅压范围V_(G-sweep)=(-30 V,+24 V)时,阈值回滞为186 mV,据我们所知为目前高扫描栅压V_(G+)(20 V)下的最好结果.动态测试表明,在400 V关态应力下,器件的导通电阻仅仅上升1.36倍(关态到开态的时间间隔为100μs).     

阶梯AlGaN外延新型Al0.25Ga0.75N/GaNHEMTs器件实验研究

本文报道了作者提出的阶梯AlGaN外延层新型AlGaN/GaN HEMTs结构的实验结果. 实验利用感应耦合等离子体刻蚀(ICP)刻蚀栅边缘的AlGaN外延层, 形成阶梯的AlGaN 外延层结构, 获得浓度分区的沟道2DEG, 使得阶梯AlGaN外延层边缘出现新的电场峰, 有效降低栅边缘的高峰电场, 从而优化了AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件的表面电场分布. 实验获得了阈值电压-1.5 V的新型AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件. 经过测试, 同样面积的器件击穿电压从传统结构的67 V提高到新结构的106 V, 提高了58%左右; 脉冲测试下电流崩塌量也比传统结构减少了30%左右, 电流崩塌效应得到了一定的缓解.     

阶梯AlGaN外延新型Al_(0.25)Ga_(0.75)N/GaNHEMTs击穿特性分析

为了优化AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件表面电场,提高击穿电压,本文首次提出了一种新型阶梯AlGaN/GaN HEMTs结构.新结构利用AlGaN/GaN异质结形成的2DEG浓度随外延AlGaN层厚度降低而减小的规律,通过减薄靠近栅边缘外延的AlGaN层,使沟道2DEG浓度分区,形成栅边缘低浓度2DEG区,低的2DEG使阶梯AlGaN交界出现新的电场峰,新电场峰的出现有效降低了栅边缘的高峰电场,优化了AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件的表面电场分布,使器件击穿电压从传统结构的446 V,提高到新结构的640 V.为了获得与实际测试结果一致的击穿曲线,本文在GaN缓冲层中设定了一定浓度的受主型缺陷,通过仿真分析验证了国际上外延GaN缓冲层时掺入受主型离子的原因,并通过仿真分析获得了与实际测试结果一致的击穿曲线.     

Recessed-gate quasi-enhancement-mode AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors with oxygen plasma treatment

In this paper,the enhancement-mode AlGaN/GaN HEMT combined with the low damage recessed-gate etching and the optimized oxygen plasma treatment was fabricated.Scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer(SEM/EDS) method and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) method were used to confirm the formation of oxides.Based on the experimental results,the obtained enhancement-mode HEMT exhibited a threshold voltage of 0.5 V,a high peak transconductance of 210 mS/mm,and a maximum drain current of 610 mA/mm at the gate bias of 4 V.Meanwhile,the on/off current ratio of enhancement-mode HEMT was as high as 10~8,drain induced barrier lowering(DIBL) was as low as 5 raV/V,and subthreshold swing(SS) of 80 mV/decade was obtained.Compared with the conventional HEMT,the Schottky reverse current of enhancement-mode HEMT was three orders of magnitude lower,and the off-state breakdown voltage of which was higher.In addition,a power gain cutoff frequency(/max) of the enhancement-mode HEMT was larger than that of the conventional one.     

具有高开启/关断电流比的Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN金属氧化物半导体高电子迁移率晶体管

采用原子层淀积(ALD)方法,制备了Al₂O₃为栅介质的高性能AlGaN/GaN金属氧化物半导体高电子迁移率晶体管(MOS-HEMT)。在栅压为-20 V时,MOS-HEMT的栅漏电比Schottky-gate HEMT的栅漏电低4个数量级以上。在栅压为+2 V时,Schottky-gate HEMT的栅漏电为191μA;在栅压为+20 V时,MOS-HEMT的栅漏电仅为23.6 nA,比同样尺寸的Schottky-gate HEMT的栅漏电低将近7个数量级。AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT的栅压摆幅达到了±20 V。在栅压V_gs=0 V时, MOS-HEMT的饱和电流密度达到了646 mA/mm,相比Schottky-gate HEMT的饱和电流密度(277 mA/mm)提高了133%。栅漏间距为10μm的AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT器件在栅压为+3 V时的最大饱和输出电流达到680 mA/mm,特征导通电阻为1.47 mΩ·cm²。Schottky-gate HEMT的开启与关断电流比仅为10⁵,MOS-HEMT的开启与关断电流比超过了10⁹,超出了Schottky-gate HEMT器件4个数量级,原因是栅漏电的降低提高了MOS-HEMT的开启与关断电流比。在V_gs=-14 V时,栅漏间距为10μm的AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT的关断击穿电压为640 V,关断泄露电流为27μA/mm。     

The degradation and recovery properties of AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors under direct current reverse step voltage stress

Direct current(DC) reverse step voltage stress is applied on the gate of an AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor(HEMT).Experiments show that parameters degenerate under stress.Large-signal parasitic source/drain resistance(RS/RD) and gate-source forward I-V characteristics are recoverable after breakdown of the device under test(DUT).Electrons trapped by both the AlGaN barrier trap and the surface state under stress lead to this phenomenon,and surface state recovery is the major reason for the recovery of device parameters.     

Channel temperature determination of multifinger AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor using micro-Raman technique

Self-heating in multifinger AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) is investigated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The device temperature is probed on the die as a function of applied bias. The operating temperature of AlGaN/GaN HEMT is estimated from the calibration curve of passively heated AlGaN/GaN structure. A linear increase of junction temperature is observed when direct current dissipated power is increased. When the power dissipation is 12.75 W at a drain voltage of 15 V, a peak temperature of 69.1 ℃ is observed at the gate edge on the drain side of the central finger. The position of the highest temperature corresponds to the high-field region at the gate edge.     

Operational improvement of AlGaN/GaN HEMT on SiC substrate with the amended depletion region

In this paper, a high performance AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) on SiC substrates is presented to improve the electrical operation with the amended depletion region using a multiple recessed gate (MRG–HEMT). The basic idea is to change the gate depletion region and a better distribution of the electric field in the channel and improve the device breakdown voltage. The proposed gate consists of lower and upper gate to control the channel thickness. Also, the charge of the depletion region will change due to the optimized gate. In addition, a metal between the gate and drain including the horizontal and vertical parts is used to better control the thickness of the channel. The breakdown voltage, maximum output power density, cut-off frequency, maximum oscillation frequency, minimum noise figure, maximum available gain (MAG), and maximum stable gain (MSG) are some parameters for designers which are considered and are improved in this paper.     

Channel temperature determination of a multifinger AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor using a micro-Raman technique

Self-heating in a multifinger AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) is investigated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The device temperature is probed on the die as a function of applied bias. The operating temperature of the AlGaN/GaN HEMT is estimated from the calibration curve of a passively heated AlGaN/GaN structure. A linear increase of junction temperature is observed when direct current dissipated power is increased. When the power dissipation is 12.75 W at a drain voltage of 15 V, a peak temperature of 69.1°C is observed at the gate edge on the drain side of the central finger. The position of the highest temperature corresponds to the high-field region at the gate edge.     

The degradation mechanism of an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor under step-stress

Step-stress experiments are performed in this paper to investigate the degradation mechanism of an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor(HEMT).It is found that the stress current shows a recoverable decrease during each voltage step and there is a critical voltage beyond which the stress current starts to increase sharply in our experiments.We postulate that defects may be randomly induced within the AlGaN barrier by the high electric field during each voltage step.But once the critical voltage is reached,the trap concentration will increase sharply due to the inverse piezoelectric effect.A leakage path may be introduced by excessive defect,and this may result in the permanent degradation of the AlGaN/GaN HEMT.     

具有高阈值电压和大栅压摆幅的常关型槽栅AlGaN/GaN金属氧化物半导体高电子迁移率晶体管

介绍了一种具有高阈值电压和大栅压摆幅的常关型槽栅AlGaN/GaN金属氧化物半导体高电子迁移率晶体管。采用原子层淀积(ALD)方法实现Al₂O₃栅介质的沉积。槽栅常关型AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT的栅长(L_g)为2 μm,栅宽(W_g)为0.9 mm(0.45 mm×2),栅极和源极(L_gs)之间的距离为5 μm,栅极和漏极(L_gd)之间的距离为10 μm。在栅压为－20 V时,槽栅常关型AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT的栅漏电仅为0.65 nA。在栅压为+12 V时,槽栅常关型AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT的栅漏电为225 nA。器件的栅压摆幅为－20~+12 V。在栅压V_gs=+10 V时,槽栅常关型AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT电流和饱和电流密度分别达到了98 mA和108 mA/mm (W_g=0.9 mm), 特征导通电阻为4 mΩ·cm²。槽栅常关型AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT的阈值电压为+4.6 V,开启与关断电流比达到了5×10⁸。当V_ds=7 V时,器件的峰值跨导为42 mS/mm (W_g=0.9 mm,V_gs=+10 V)。在V_gs=0 V时,栅漏间距为10 μm的槽栅常关型AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT的关断击穿电压为450 V,关断泄露电流为0.025 mA/mm。     

Impact of oxygen in electrical properties and hot-carrier stress-induced degradation of GaN high electron mobility transistors

The role of the oxygen in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) before and after semi-on state stress was discussed. Comparing with the electrical characteristics of the devices in vacuum, air, and oxygen atmosphere, it is revealed that the oxygen has significant influence on the electric characteristics and the hot-carrier-stress-induced degradation of the device. Comparing with the situation in vacuum, the gate leakage increased an order of magnitude in oxygen and air atmosphere. Double gate structure was used to separate the barrier leakage and surface leakage of AlGaN/GaN HEMT it is found that surface leakage is the major influencing factor in gate leakage of SiN-passivated devices before and after semi-on state stress. During semi-on state stress in the oxygen atmosphere, the electric-field-driven oxidation process promoted the oxidation of the nitride layer, and the oxidation layer in the SiN/AlGaN interface leads to the decreasing of the surface leakage.     

高场应力及栅应力下AlGaN/GaN HEMT器件退化研究

采用不同的高场应力和栅应力对AlGaN/GaN HEMT器件进行直流应力测试,实验发现：应力后器件主要参数如饱和漏电流,跨导峰值和阈值电压等均发生了明显退化,而且这些退化还是可以完全恢复的;高场应力下,器件特性的退化随高场应力偏置电压的增加和应力时间的累积而增大;对于不同的栅应力,相对来说,脉冲栅应力和开态栅应力下器件特性的退化比关态栅应力下的退化大.对不同应力前后器件饱和漏电流,跨导峰值和阈值电压的分析表明,AlGaN势垒层陷阱俘获沟道热电子以及栅极电子在栅漏间电场的作用下填充虚栅中的表面态是这些不同应 关键词： AlGaN/GaN HEMT器件 表面态(虚栅) 势垒层陷阱 应力     

Degradation and recovery properties of AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors under direct current reverse step voltage stress

Direct current (DC) reverse step voltage stress is applied on the gate of AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT). Experiments show that parameters degenerate under stress. Large-signal parasitic source/drain resistance (R_S/R_D) and gate-source forward I-V characteristics are recoverable after breakdown of the device under test (DUT). Electrons trapped by both the AlGaN barrier trap and the surface state under stress lead to this phenomenon, and surface state recovery is the major reason for the recovery of device parameters.