Hydrogen interaction with GaN metal–insulator–semiconductor diodes

Interaction mechanism of hydrogen with GaN metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) diodes is investigated, focusing on the metal/semiconductor interfaces. For MIS Pt-GaN diodes with a SiO₂ dielectric, the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics reveal that hydrogen changes the conduction mechanisms from Fowler–Nordheim tunneling to Poole–Frenkel emission. In sharp contrast, Pt-Si_xN_y-GaN diodes exhibit Poole–Frenkel emission in nitrogen and do not show any change in the conduction mechanism upon exposure to hydrogen. The capacitance–voltage (C–V) study suggests that the work function change of the Schottky metal is not responsible mechanism for the hydrogen sensitivity.     

Drain-induced barrier lowering effect for short channel dual material gate 4H silicon carbide metal—semiconductor field-effect transistor

Sub-threshold characteristics of the dual material gate 4H-SiC MESFET (DMGFET) are investigated and the analytical models to describe the drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) effect are derived by solving one- and two- dimensional Poisson’s equations. Using these models, we calculate the bottom potential of the channel and the threshold voltage shift, which characterize the drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) effect. The calculated results reveal that the dual material gate (DMG) structure alleviates the deterioration of the threshold voltage and thus suppresses the DIBL effect due to the introduced step function, which originates from the work function difference of the two gate materials when compared with the conventional single material gate metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (SMGFET).     

Analysis of interface states and series resistance for Al/PVA:n-CdS nanocomposite metal–semiconductor and metal–insulator–semiconductor diode structures

This paper presents the fabrication and characterization of Al/PVA:n-CdS (MS) and Al/Al₂O₃/PVA:n-CdS (MIS) diode. The effects of interfacial insulator layer, interface states (N _ss ) and series resistance (R _s ) on the electrical characteristics of Al/PVA:n-CdS structures have been investigated using forward and reverse bias I–V, C–V, and G/w–V characteristics at room temperature. Al/PVA:n-CdS diode is fabricated with and without insulator Al₂O₃ layer to explain the effect of insulator layer on main electrical parameters. The values of the ideality factor (n), series resistance (R _s ) and barrier height (? _b ) are calculated from ln(I) vs. V plots, by the Cheung and Norde methods. The energy density distribution profile of the interface states is obtained from the forward bias I–V data by taking into account the bias dependence ideality factor (n(V)) and effective barrier height (? _e ) for MS and MIS diode. The N _ss values increase from mid-gap energy of CdS to the bottom of the conductance band edge for both MS and MIS diode.     

Dual-gate lateral double-diffused metal—oxide semiconductor with ultra-low specific on-resistance

A new high voltage trench lateral double-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) with ultra-low specific onresistance (R on,sp ) is proposed. The structure features a dual gate (DG LDMOS): a planar gate and a trench gate inset in the oxide trench. Firstly, the dual gate can provide a dual conduction channel and reduce R on,sp dramatically. Secondly, the oxide trench in the drift region modulates the electric field distribution and reduces the cell pitch but still can maintain comparable breakdown voltage (BV). Simulation results show that the cell pitch of the DG LDMOS can be reduced by 50% in comparison with that of conventional LDMOS at the equivalent BV; furthermore, R on,sp of the DG LDMOS can be reduced by 67% due to the smaller cell pitch and the dual gate.     

Surface modes in metal–insulator composites with strong interaction of metal particles

We theoretically examine plasmonic resonance excited between two close metallic grains embedded into a dielectric matrix. The grains sizes are assumed to be much less than the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in the dielectric medium and the grain’s separation is assumed to be much smaller than the grains sizes. A qualitative scheme is developed that enables one to estimate frequency of the plasmonic resonance and value of the field enhancement inside the gap. Our general arguments are confirmed by rigorous analytic solution of the problem for simplest geometry—two identical spherical grains.     

Modeling of a triple reduced surface field silicon-on-insulator lateral double-diffused metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor with low on-state resistance

An analytical model for a novel triple reduced surface field(RESURF) silicon-on-insulator(SOI) lateral doublediffused metal–oxide–semiconductor(LDMOS) field effect transistor with n-type top(N-top) layer, which can obtain a low on-state resistance, is proposed in this paper. The analytical model for surface potential and electric field distributions of the novel triple RESURF SOI LDMOS is presented by solving the two-dimensional(2D) Poisson's equation, which can also be applied to single, double and conventional triple RESURF SOI structures. The breakdown voltage(BV) is formulized to quantify the breakdown characteristic. Besides, the optimal integrated charge of N-top layer(Q_(ntop)) is derived, which can give guidance for doping the N-top layer. All the analytical results are well verified by numerical simulation results,showing the validity of the presented model. Hence, the proposed model can be a good tool for the device designers to provide accurate first-order design schemes and physical insights into the high voltage triple RESURF SOI device with N-top layer.     

Growth and Annealing Study of Mg-Doped AlGaN and GaN/AlGaN Superlattices

Mg-doped AlGaN and GaN/AlGaN superlattices are grown by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition （MOCVD） Rapid thermal annealing （RTA） treatments are carried out on the samples. Hall and high resolution x-ray diffraction measurements are used to characterize the electrical and structural prosperities of the as-grown and annealed samples, respectively. The results of hall measurements show that after annealing, the Mg-doped AIGaN sample can not obtain the distinct hole concentration and can acquire a resistivity of 1.4 ×10^3 Ωcm. However, with the same annealing treatment, the GaN/AlGaN superlattice sample has a hole concentration of 1.7 × 10^17 cm-3 and a resistivity of 5.6Ωcm. The piezoelectric field in the GaN/AlGaN superlattices improves the activation efficiency of Mg acceptors, which leads to higher hole concentration and lower p-type resistivity.     

Multiple Fano resonances in metal–insulator–metal waveguide with umbrella resonator coupled with metal baffle for refractive index sensing

A single baffle metal–insulator–metal(MIM) waveguide coupled with a semi-circular cavity and a cross-shaped cavity is proposed based on the multiple Fano resonance characteristics of surface plasmon polaritons(SPPs) subwavelength structure. The isolated state formed by two resonators interferes with the wider continuous state mode formed by the metal baffle, forming Fano resonance that can independently be tuned into five different modes. The formation mechanism of Fano resonance is analyzed based on the multimode interference coupled mode theory(MICMT). The finite element method(FEM) and MICMT are used to simulate the transmission spectra of this structure and analyze the influence of structural parameters on the refractive index sensing characteristics. And the transmission responses calculated by the FEM simulation are consistent with the MICMT theoretical results very well. The results show that the figure of merit(FOM)can reach 193 and the ultra-high sensitivity is 1600 nm/RIU after the structure parameters have been optimized, and can provide theoretical basis for designing the high sensitive refractive index sensors based on SPPs waveguide for high-density photonic integration with excellent performance in the near future.     

Simulation of polarization effects in AlGaN/GaN heterojunction

Because of their large band-gap, large high-field electron velocity, large breakdownfield, and large thermal conductivity, GaN and its heterojunction with AlGaN and InGaNhave foreseeable potential in the applications of high-power/temperature electronics, andoptoelectronic devices operative in UV and visible wavelength. Polarization inducedelectric field can reach the magnitude of ~MV/cm[1,2]. For AlGaN/GaN based FETs theconcentration of sheet carrier induced by polarization in the cha…     

Monolithic integration of an AlGaN/GaN metalinsulator field-effect transistor with an ultra-low voltage-drop diode for self-protection

In this paper,we present a monolithic integration of a self-protected AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator field-effect transistor(MISFET).An integrated field-controlled diode on the drain side of the AlGaN/GaN MISFET features a selfprotected function for a reverse bias.This diode takes advantage of the recessed-barrier enhancement-mode technique to realize an ultra-low voltage drop and a low turn-ON voltage.In the smart monolithic integration,this integrated diode can block a reverse bias(> 70 V/μm) and suppress the leakage current(< 5 × 10-11 A/mm).Compared with conventional monolithic integration,the numerical results show that the MISFET integrated with a field-controlled diode leads to a good performance for smart power integration.And the power loss is lower than 50% in conduction without forward current degeneration.     

1000 V p-GaN混合阳极AlGaN/GaN二极管

GaN材料具有优异的电学特性,如大的禁带宽度(3.4 eV)、高击穿场强(3.3 MV/cm)和高电子迁移率(600 cm~2/(V·s)). AlGaN/GaN异质结由于压电极化和自发极化效应,产生高密度(1×10~(13)cm~(-2))和高迁移率(2000 cm~2/(V·s))的二维电子气(2DEG),在未来的功率系统中, AlGaN/GaN二极管具有极大的应用前景.二极管的开启电压和击穿电压是影响其损耗和功率处理能力的关键参数,本文提出了一种新型的具有高阻盖帽层(high-resistance-cap-layer, HRCL)的p-GaN混合阳极AlGaN/GaN二极管来优化其开启电压和击穿特性.在p-GaN/AlGaN/GaN材料结构基础上,通过自对准的氢等离子体处理技术,在沟道区域形成高阻盖帽层改善电场分布,提高击穿电压,同时在阳极区域保留p-GaN结构,用于耗尽下方的二维电子气,调控开启电压.制备的p-GaN混合阳极(p-GaN HRCL)二极管在阴阳极间距Lac为10μm时,击穿电压大于1 kV,开启电压+1.2 V.实验结果表明, p-GaN混合阳极和高阻GaN盖帽层的引入,有效改善AlGaN/GaN肖特基势垒二极管电学性能.     

Self-aligned-gate AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor with titanium nitride gate

Self-aligned-gate heterostructure field-effect transistor(HFET) is fabricated using a wet-etching method.Titanium nitride(TiN) is one kind of thermal stable material which can be used as the gate electrode.A Ti/Au cap layer is fixed on the gate and acts as an etching mask.Then the T-shaped gate is automatically formed through over-etching the TiN layer in 30% H_2O_2 solution at 95 ℃.After treating the ohmic region with an inductively coupled plasma(ICP) method,an Al layer is sputtered as an ohmic electrode.The ohmic contact resistance is approximately 0.3 Ω·mm after annealing at a low-temperature of 575 ℃ in N_2 ambient for 1 min.The TiN gate leakage current is only 10~(-8) A after the low-temperature ohmic process.The access region length of the self-aligned-gate(SAG) HFET was reduced from 2 μm to 0.3 μm compared with that of the gate-first HFET.The output current density and transconductance of the device which has the same gate length and width are also increased.     

Normally-off AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field-effect transistors with in-situ AlN gate insulator

AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field-effect transistors (HFETs) with p-GaN cap layer are developed for normally-off operation, in which an in-situ grown AlN layer is utilized as the gate insulator. Compared with the SiN_x gate insulator, the AlN/p-GaN interface presents a more obvious energy band bending and a wider depletion region, which helps to positively shift the threshold voltage. In addition, the relatively large conduction band offset of AlN/p-GaN is beneficial to suppress the gate leakage current and enhance the gate breakdown voltage. Owing to the introduction of AlN layer, normally-off p-GaN capped AlGaN/GaN HFET with a threshold voltage of 4 V and a gate swing of 13 V is realized. Furthermore, the field-effect mobility is approximately 1500 cm²·V^-1·s^-1 in the 2DEG channel, implying a good device performance.     

Electron mobility in the linear region of an AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor

We simulate the current-voltage （I-V） characteristics of AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors （HFETs） with different gate lengths using the quasi-two-dimensional （quasi-2D） model. The calculation results obtained using the modified mobility model are found to accord well with the experimental data. By analyzing the variation of the electron mobility for the two-dimensional electron gas （213EG） with the electric field in the linear region of the AlGaN/AlN/GaN HFET I-V output characteristics, it is found that the polarization Coulomb field scattering still plays an important role in the electron mobility of AlGaN/AlN/GaN HFETs at the higher drain voltage and channel electric field. As drain voltage and channel electric field increase, the 2DEG density reduces and the polarization Coulomb field scattering increases, as a result, the 2DEG electron mobility decreases.     

AlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管中kink效应的半经验模型

初步分析了AlGaN/GaN 器件上的kink效应. 在直流模型的基础上, 建立了AlGaN/GaN 高电子迁移率晶体管中kink效应的半经验模型, 并加入了kink效应发生的漏源偏压与栅源偏压的关系. 该模型得出较为准确的模拟结果, 可用来判断kink效应的发生和电流的变化量. 最后, 我们采用模型仿真结合实验分析的方法, 对kink效应进行了一定的物理研究, 结果表明碰撞电离对kink效应的发生有一定的促进作用.     

Determination of the relative permittivity of the AlGaN barrier layer in strained AlGaN/GaN heterostructures

Using the measured capacitance--voltage curves and the photocurrent spectrum obtained from the Ni Schottky contact on a strained Al_0.3Ga_0.7N/GaN heterostructure, the value of the relative permittivity of the AlGaN barrier layer was analysed and calculated by self-consistently solving Schr?dinger's and Poisson's equations. It is shown that the calculated values of the relative permittivity are different from those formerly reported, and reverse biasing the Ni Schottky contact has an influence on the value of the relative permittivity. As the reverse bias increases from 0 V to --3~V, the value of the relative permittivity decreases from 7.184 to 7.093.     

Influence of drain bias on the electron mobility in AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors

Using measured capacitance-voltage curves and current-voltage characteristics for the AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors with different gate lengths and drain-to-source distances,the influence of drain bias on the electron mobility is investigated.It is found that below the knee voltage the longitudinal optical(LO) phonon scattering and interface roughness scattering are dominant for the sample with a large ratio of gate length to drain-to-source distance(here 4/5),and the polarization Coulomb field scattering is dominant for the sample with a small ratio(here 1/5).However,the above polarization Coulomb field scattering is weakened in the sample with a small drain-to-source distance(here 20 μm) compared with the one with a large distance(here 100 μm).This is due to the induced strain in the AlGaN layer caused by the drain bias.     

AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors with transparent gates by Al-doped ZnO

AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors （HEMTs） with Al-doped ZnO （AZO） transparent gate electrodes are fabricated, and Ni/Au/Ni-gated HEMTs are produced in comparison. The AZO-gated HEMTs show good DC characteristics and Schottky rectifying characteristics, and the gate electrodes achieve excellent transparencies. Compared with Ni/Au/Ni-gated HEMTs, AZO-gated HEMTs show a low saturation current, high threshold voltage, high Schottky barrier height, and low gate reverse leakage current. Due to the higher gate resistivity, AZO-gated HEMTs exhibit a current-gain cutoff frequency （fT） of 10 GHz and a power gain cutoff frequency （fmax） of 5 GHz, and lower maximum oscillation frequency than Ni/Au/Ni-gated HEMTs. Moreover, the C-V characteristics are measured and the gate interface characteristics of the AZO-gated devices are investigated by a C-V dual sweep.     

Parasitic source resistance at different temperatures for AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors

The parasitic source resistance(RS) of Al Ga N/Al N/Ga N heterostructure field-effect transistors(HFETs) is studied in the temperature range 300–500 K. By using the measured RSand both capacitance–voltage(C–V) and current–voltage(I–V) characteristics for the fabricated device at 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 K, it is found that the polarization Coulomb field(PCF) scattering exhibits a significant impact on RSat the above-mentioned different temperatures. Furthermore, in the Al Ga N/Al N/Ga N HFETs, the interaction between the additional positive polarization charges underneath the gate contact and the additional negative polarization charges near the source Ohmic contact, which is related to the PCF scattering, is verified during the variable-temperature study of RS.