High performance AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with 2.4μm source-drain spacing

This paper describes the performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with 2.4μm source-drain spacing.So far these are the smallest source-drain spacing AlGaN/GaN HEMTs which have been implemented with a domestic wafer and domestic process.This paper also compares their performance with that of 4μm source-drain spacing devices. The former exhibit higher drain current,higher gain,and higher efficiency.It is especially significant that the maximum frequency of oscillation noticeably increased.     

Design and Performance of an AIGaN-Based p-i-n Ultraviolet Photodetector

An AIGaN-based back-illuminated ultraviolet p-i-n detector is designed and its performance is analysed both simulately and experimentally. The width of p- and i-regions has been optimized to the best theoretic values. It is indicated that the changing of responsivity with increase of bias can not be attributed to the expansion of depletion layer as it is believed, but to two reasons： 1） the effect of GaN/AlGaN heterojunction barrier to block the electrons decreases with higher bias and 2） the recombination rate of excess carriers decreases due to the building up of an electric field in depletion region. At zero bias, the simulated responsivity reaches its maximum of 0.12 A/W with quantum efficiency of 55.1%. The measured peak responsivity is more than 0.09 A/W with quantum efficiency greater than 41.6%. The experimental data are almost consistent with the results of the simulation.     

多栅指AlGaN/GaN HEMT器件自热效应研究

Self-heating in multi-finger AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors(HEMTs) is investigated by measurements and modeling of device junction temperature under steady-state operation.Measurements are carried out using micro-Raman scattering to obtain the detailed and accurate temperature distribution of the device.The device peak temperature corresponds to the high field region at the drain side of gate edge.The channel temperature of the device is modeled using a combined electro-thermal model considering 2DEG transport characteristics and the Joule heating power distribution.The results reveal excellent correlation to the micro-Raman measurements, validating our model for the design of better cooled structures.Furthermore,the influence of layout design on the channel temperature of multi-finger AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is studied using the proposed electro-thermal model, allowing for device optimization.     

Characteristics of AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN double heteroj unction HEMTs with an improved breakdown voltage

正We studied the performance of AlGaN/GaN double heterojunction high electron mobility transistors (DH-HEMTs) with an AlGaN buffer layer,which leads to a higher potential barrier at the backside of the twodimensional electron gas channel and better carrier confinement.This,remarkably,reduces the drain leakage current and improves the device breakdown voltage.The breakdown voltage of AlGaN/GaN double heterojunction HEMTs (~ 100 V) was significantly improved compared to that of conventional AlGaN/GaN HEMTs(~50 V) for the device with gate dimensions of 0.5 x 100μm and a gate-drain distance of 1μm.The DH-HEMTs also demonstrated a maximum output power of 7.78 W/mm,a maximum power-added efficiency of 62.3%and a linear gain of 23 dB at the drain supply voltage of 35 V at 4 GHz.     

^（60）Co γ-rays irradiation effect in DC performance of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors

Unpassivated/passivated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors （HEMTs） were exposed to 1.25 MeV 60Co γ-rays at a dose of 1 Mrad（Si）. The saturation drain current of the unpassivated devices decreased by 15% at 1 Mrad γ-dose, and the maximal transconductance decreased by 9.1% under the same condition; more- over, either forward or reverse gate bias current was significantly increased, while the threshold voltage is relatively unaffected. By sharp contrast, the passivated devices showed scarcely any change in saturation drain current and maximal transconductance at the same γ dose. Based on the differences between the passivated HEMTs and un- passivated HEMTs, adding the C–V measurement results, the obviously parameter degradation of the unpassivated AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is believed to be caused by the creation of electronegative surface state charges in sourcegate spacer and gate–drain spacer at the low dose （1 Mrad）. These results reveal that the passivation is effective in reducing the effects of surface state charges induced by the 60Co γ-rays irradiation, so the passivation is an effective reinforced approach.     

InGaN背势垒AlGaN/GaN HEMT中的电流崩塌研究

Current collapses were studied,which were observed in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors(HEMTs) with and without InGaN back barrier(BB) as a result of short-term bias stress.More serious drain current collapses were observed in InGaN BB AlGaN/GaN HEMTs compared with the traditional HEMTs.The results indicate that the defects and surface states induced by the InGaN BB layer may enhance the current collapse.The surface states may be the primary mechanism of the origination of current collapse in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs for short-term direct current stress.     

Annealing before gate metal deposition related noise performance in AIGaN/GaN HEMTs

For a further improvement of the noise performance in A1GaN/GaN HEMTs, reducing the relatively high gate leakage current is a key issue. In this paper, an experiment was carried out to demonstrate that one method during the device fabrication process can lower the noise. Two samples were treated differently after gate recess etching： one sample was annealed before metal deposition and the other sample was left as it is. From a comparison of their Ig-Vg characteristics, a conclusion could be drawn that the annealing can effectively reduce the gate leakage current. The etching plasma-induced damage removal or reduction after annealing is considered to be the main factor responsible for it. Evidence is given to prove that annealing can increase the Schottky barrier height. A noise model was used to verify that the annealing of the gate recess before the metal deposition is really effective to improve the noise performance of AIGaN/GaN HEMTs.     

RF-MBE Grown AlGaN/GaN HEMT Structure with High Al Content

A Si doped AlGaN/GaN HEMT structure with high Al content (x=43%) in the barrier layer is grown on sapphire substrate by RF-MBE.The structural and electrical properties of the heterostructure are investigated by the triple axis Xray diffraction and Van der PauwHall measurement,respectively.The observed prominent Bragg peaks of the GaN and AlGaN and the Hall results show that the structure is of high quality with smooth interface.The high 2DEG mobility in excess of 1260cm2／（V·s） is achieved with an electron density of 1.429e13cm－2 at 297K,corresponding to a sheet-densitymobility product of 1.8e16V－1·s－1.Devices based on the structure are fabricated and characterized.Better DC characteristics,maximum drain current of 1.0A/mm and extrinsic transconductance of 218mS/mm are obtained when compared with HEMTs fabricated using structures with lower Al mole fraction in the AlGaN barrier layer.The results suggest that the high Al content in the AlGaN barrier layer is promising in improving material electrical properties and device performance.     

Impact of UV/ozone surface treatment on AIGaN/GaN HEMTs

Surface treatment plays an important role in the process of making high performance AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. A clean surface is critical for enhancing device performance and long-term reliability. By experimenting with different surface treatment methods, we find that using UV/ozone treatment significantly influences the electrical properties of Ohmic contacts and Schottky contacts. According to these experimental phenomena and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy surface analysis results, the effect of the UV/ozone treatment and the reason that it influences the Ohmic/Schottky contact characteristics of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is investigated.     

Analysis of AIGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors failure mechanism under semi-on DC stress

Semi-on DC stress experiments were conducted on A1GaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors （HEMTs） to find the degradation mechanisms during stress. A positive shift in threshold voltage （VT） and an increase in drain series resistance （RD） were observed after semi-on DC stress on the tested HEMTs. It was found that there exists a close correlation between the degree of drain current degradation and the variation in VT and RD. Our analysis shows that the variation in Vx is the main factor leading to the degradation of saturation drain current （IDs）, while the increase in RD results in the initial degradation of Ios in linear region in the initial several hours stress time and then the degradation of VT plays more important role. Based on brief analysis, the electron trapping effect induced by gate leakage and the hot electron effect are ascribed to the degradation of drain current during semi-on DC stress. We suggest that electrons in the gate current captured by the traps in the A1GaN layer under the gate metal result in the positive shift in VT and the trapping effect in the gate-drain access region induced by the hot electron effect accounts for the increase in RD.     

Noise performance in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs under high drain bias

rom macroscopic and microscopic perspectives can help us to design new device structures to improve noise performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs under high bias.     

An 8 GHz high power AlGaN/GaN HEMT VCO

A high power X-band hybrid microwave integrated voltage controlled oscillator(VCO) based on Al-GaN /GaN HEMT is presented.The oscillator design utilizes a common-gate negative resistance structure with open and short-circuit stub microstrip lines as the main resonator for a high Q factor.The VCO operating at 20 V drain bias and-1.9 V gate bias exhibits an output power of 28 dBm at the center frequency of 8.15 GHz with an efficiency of 21%.Phase noise is estimated to be -85 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset and -1...     

一个8GHz高功率AlGaN/GaN HEMT VCO

基于中科院微电子所的AlGaN/GaN HEMT工艺研制了一个X波段高功率混合集成压控振荡器（VCO）。电路采用源端调谐的负阻型结构,主谐振腔由开路微带和短路微带并联构成,实现高Q值设计。在偏置条件为VD=20V, VG=-1.9V, ID=150mA时,VCO在中心频率8.15 GHz处输出功率达到28 dBm,效率21%,相位噪声-85 dBc/Hz@100 KHz,-128 dBc/Hz@1 MHz。调谐电压0~5V时,调谐范围50 MHz。分析了器件闪烁噪声对GaN HEMT基振荡器相位噪声性能的主导作用。测试结果显示了AlGaN/GaN HEMT工艺在高功率低噪声微波频率源中的应用前景。     

X波段GaN单片电路低噪声放大器

采用0.25μm GaN HEMT制备工艺在AlGaN/GaN异质结材料上研制了高性能X波段GaN单片电路低噪声放大器.GaN低噪声单片电路采取两级微带线结构,10V偏压下芯片在X波段范围内获得了低于2.2 dB的噪声系数,增益达到18 dB以上,耐受功率达到了27 dBm.在耐受功率测试中发现GaN低噪声HEMT器件...     

Device reliability study of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors under high gate and channel electric fields via low frequency noise spectroscopy

A set of different short term stress conditions are applied to AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors and changes in the electronic behaviour of the gate stack and channel region are investigated by simultaneous gate and drain current low frequency noise measurements. Permanent degradation of gate current noise is observed during high gate reverse bias stress which is linked to defect creation in the gate edges. In the channel region a permanent degradation of drain noise is observed after a relatively high drain voltage stress in the ON-state. This is attributed to an increase in the trap density at the AlGaN/GaN interface under the gated part of the channel. It was found that self-heating alone does not cause any permanent degradation to the channel or gate stack. OFF-state stress also does not affect the gate stack or the channel.     

GaN高电子迁移率晶体管高频噪声特性的研究

基于FUKUI噪声模型,分析了GaN高电子迁移率晶体管(HEMT)器件的高频噪声特性,结果表明,由于GaN HEMT具有更高的临界电场和更大的电子饱和速度,与第2代半导体器件(GaAs HEMT等)相比具有更优越的噪声性能.对近10多年来国内外在GaN HEMT低噪声器件及其低噪声功率放大器单片集成电路(MMIC)方面的研究进行了综述,并分析了GaN HEMT在低噪声应用领域目前存在的主要问题及其发展趋势.     

On Charge Transport and Low-Frequency Noise in the GaN p-i-n Diode

The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and low-frequency noise of the GaN p-i-n diodes were investigated in temperature range from 10 K to 300 K. We found that the reverse biased p-i-n diode made of GaN/AlGaN exhibits features of the space charge limited (SCL) current flow and its I-V characteristics can be approximated by the power law I~Vⁿ relation. This phenomenon can be attributed to the presence of the multiple charge traps in the intrinsic region of device. It has been demonstrated that the direct tunneling from traps to bands may occur in diodes at forward and reverse bias with strong support of the Frenkel effect. The low frequency noise in our devices does not depend on temperature in both bias directions under cryogenic conditions. The observed low-frequency noise features support the hypothesis that excess tunneling current and recombination at grain boundaries are origins of the 1/f low-frequency noise in the diode at forward bias. The 1/f noise in the reverse bias regime can be described as a composition of many Lorentzian noise components that originate from traps, which have specific depth distribution     

Microwave noise performance of AlGaN-GaN HEMTs with small DC power dissipation

We report low microwave noise performance of discrete AlGaN-GaN HEMTs at DC power dissipation comparable to that of GaAs-based low-noise FETs. At 1-V source-drain (SD) bias and DC power dissipation of 97 mW/mm, minimum noise figures (NF/sub min/) of 0.75 dB at 10 GHz and 1.5 dB at 20 GHz were achieved, respectively. A device breakdown voltage of 40 V was observed. Both the low microwave noise performance at small DC power level and high breakdown voltage was obtained with a shorter SD spacing of 1.5 /spl mu/m in 0.15-/spl mu/m gate length GaN HEMTs. By comparison, NF/sub min/ with 2 /spl mu/m SD spacing was 0.2 dB greater at 10 GHz.     

Low flicker-noise GaN/AlGaN heterostructure field-effecttransistors for microwave communications

We report a detailed investigation of flicker noise in novel GaN/AlGaN heterostructure field-effect transistors (GaN HFET). Low values of 1/f noise found in these devices (i.e., the Hooge parameter is on the order of 10^-1) open up the possibility for applications in communication systems. We have examined the scaling of the noise spectral density with the device dimensions in order to optimize their performance. It was also found that the slope γ of the 1/f^γ noise density spectrum is in the 1.0-1.3 range for all devices and decreases with the decreasing (i.e., more negative) gate bias. The results are important for low-noise electronic technologies requiring a low phase-noise level     

A Q-band low phase noise monolithic AlGaN/GaN HEMT VCO

A Q-band 40-GHz GaN monolithic microwave integrated circuit voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) based on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor technology has been demonstrated. The GaN VCO delivered an output power of +25dBm with phase noise of -92dBc/Hz at 100-KHz offset, and -120dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the state-of-the-art for GaN VCOs in terms of frequency, output power, and phase noise performance. This work demonstrates the potential for the use of GaN technology for high frequency, high power, and low phase noise frequency sources for military and commercial applications.