The effects of ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation on the DC characteristics of enhancement-mode AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors

The effects of 60Co γ-ray irradiation on the DC characteristics of AlGaN/GaN enhancement-mode high-electron-mobility transistors (E-mode HEMTs) are investigated. The results show that having been irradiated by 60Co γ-rays at a dose of 3 Mrad (Si), the E-mode HEMT reduces its saturation drain current and maximal transconductance by 6% and 5%, respectively, and significantly increases both forward and reverse gate currents, while its threshold voltage is affected only slightly. The obvious performance degradation of E-mode AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is consistent with the creation of electronegative surface state charges in the source-gate spacer and gate-drain spacer after being irradiated.