The role of cleaning conditions and epitaxial layer structure on reliability of Sc2O3 and MgO passivation on AlGaN/GaN HEMTS

The effect of layer structure (GaN versus AlGaN cap) and cleaning procedure prior to Sc₂O₃ or MgO deposition at 100 °C were examined for their effects on the long-term bias-stress stability of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). Surface cleaning by itself was not sufficient to prevent current collapse in the devices. The forward and reverse gate leakage currents were decreased under most conditions upon deposition of the oxide passivation layers. After ≈13 h of bias-stressing, the MgO-passivated HEMTs retain 90% their initial drain–source current. The Sc₂O₃-passivated devices retained 80% recovery of the current under the same conditions.     

High-power polarization-engineered GaN/AlGaN/GaN HEMTs without surface passivation

In this paper, a high-power GaN/AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) has been demonstrated. A thick cap layer has been used to screen surface states and reduce dispersion. A deep gate recess was used to achieve the desired transconductance. A thin SiO/sub 2/ layer was deposited on the drain side of the gate recess in order to reduce gate leakage current and improve breakdown voltage. No surface passivation layer was used. A breakdown voltage of 90 V was achieved. A record output power density of 12 W/mm with an associated power-added efficiency (PAE) of 40.5% was measured at 10 GHz. These results demonstrate the potential of the technique as a controllable and repeatable solution to decrease dispersion and produce power from GaN-based HEMTs without surface passivation.     

采用AlN/SiNx钝化的高性能AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

两种不同的钝化层结构被应用到势垒层厚度为12 nm的AlGa/GaN 高电子迁移率场效应晶体管中。首先采用等离子增强原子层沉积(PEALD)技术生长5 nm的AlN薄膜,然后再覆盖50 nm的等离子增强化学气相淀积(PECVD)生长的SiNx。相比于传统的SiNx钝化,AlN钝化层的插入更有效地抑制了电流崩塌效应,同时获得了小的亚阈值斜率(SS)。AlN钝化层的插入增大了器件的射频跨导从而获得了较高的截止频率。另外,通过变温直流特性测试发现,AlN/SiNx钝化的器件在高温时饱和电流和最大跨导的衰退相对于仅采用SiNx钝化的器件都要小,表明AlN钝化层的插入改善了器件的高温稳定性。     

Undoped AlGaN/GaN HEMTs for microwave power amplification

Undoped AlGaN/GaN structures are used to fabricate high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). Using the strong spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization inherent in this crystal structure a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is induced. Three-dimensional (3-D) nonlinear thermal simulations are made to determine the temperature rise from heat dissipation in various geometries. Epitaxial growth by MBE and OMVPE are described, reaching electron mobilities of 1500 and 1700 cm ²/Ns, respectively, For electron sheet density near 1×10¹³/cm², Device fabrication is described, including surface passivation used to sharply reduce the problematic current slump (dc to rf dispersion) in these HEMTs. The frequency response, reaching an intrinsic f_t of 106 GHz for 0.15 μm gates, and drain-source breakdown voltage dependence on gate length are presented. Small periphery devices on sapphire substrates have normalized microwave output power of ~4 W/mm, while large periphery devices have ~2 W/mm, both thermally limited. Performance, without and with Si₃N₄ passivation are presented. On SiC substrates, large periphery devices have electrical limits of 4 W/mm, due in part to the limited development of the substrates     

采用ALD Al2O3作为栅介质的薄势垒增强型AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMT

本文报道了高性能的增强型（E-mode）氮化镓（GaN）基金属-绝缘体-半导体高电子迁移率晶体管（MIS-HEMT）,该器件势垒层为5-nm厚的铝镓氮（Al0.3Ga0.7N）,并采用氮化硅（SiN）钝化来控制二维电子气（2DEG）密度。与SiN钝化不同,采用原子层淀积（ALD）技术生长的氧化铝（Al2O3）不会增强异质结中的2DEG密度。刻蚀栅区的SiN介质可以耗尽沟道电子,之后采用ALD Al2O3作为栅介质,可以实现MIS结构。栅长为1 μm的E-mode MIS-HEMT具有657mA/mm的最大饱和电流（IDS）、187mS/mm的最大跨导（gm）和1V的阈值电压（Vth）。与相应的E-mode HEMT对比,由于Al2O3栅介质的引入,使器件的性能得到了很大的提升。本文对于同时实现高的Vth和IDS提供了很好的方法。     

The effect of surface passivation on the microwave characteristicsof undoped AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

Surface passivation of undoped AlGaN/CaN HEMT's reduces or eliminates the surface effects responsible for limiting both the RF current and breakdown voltages of the devices. Power measurements on a 2×125×0.5 μm AlGaN/GaN sapphire based HEMT demonstrate an increase in 4 GHz saturated output power from 1.0 W/mm [36% peak power-added efficiency (PAE)] to 2.0 W/mm (46% peak PAE) with 15 V applied to the drain in each case. Breakdown measurement data show a 25% average increase in breakdown voltage for 0.5 μm gate length HEMT's on the same wafer. Finally, 4 GHz power sweep data for a 2×75×0.4 μm AlGaN/GaN HEMT on sapphire processed using the Si₃N₄ passivation layer produced 4.0 W/mm saturated output power at 41% PAE (25 V drain bias). This result represents the highest reported microwave power density for undoped sapphire substrated AlGaN/GaN HEMT's     

高频功率AlGaN/GaN HEMT 的栅结构优化

本文研究了栅帽、栅源间距对AlGaN/GaN HEMT性能的影响。基于研究结果得出了优化高频功率AlGaN/GaN HEMT栅结构的方法。缩小栅场板可以有效提高器件的增益、截止频率（ft）、最大震荡频率（fmax）。通过减小栅场板长度,栅长0.35 器件的ft达到了30GHz、fmax达到了80GHz。采用tao型栅（栅帽偏向源侧）或者增加栅金属厚度还可以进一步优化 。缩小栅源的距离可以提高饱和漏电流和击穿电压,从而提高器件的输出功率。     

Gate-structure optimization for high frequency power AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

The influence of gate-head and gate-source-spacing on the performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs was studied.Suggestions are then made to improve the performance of high frequency power AlGaN/GaN HEMTs by optimizing the gate-structure.Reducing the field-plate length can effectively enhance gain,current gain cutoff frequency and maximum frequency of oscillation.By reducing the field-plate length,devices with 0.35 μm gate length have exhibited a current gain cutoff frequency of 30 GHz and a maximum frequency of oscillation of 80 GHz.The maximum frequency of oscillation can be further optimized either by increasing the gate-metal thickness,or by using a t-shape gate (the gate where the gate-head tends to the source side).Reducing the gate-source spacing can enhance the maximum drain-current and breakdown voltage,which is beneficial in enhancing the maximum output power of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.     

Comparative study of AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor heterostructure field-effect transistors with Al2O3 and HfO2 gate oxide

AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor heterostructure field-effect transistors (MOSHFETs) with Al₂O₃ gate oxide which was deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) were fabricated and their performance was then compared with that of AlGaN/GaN MOSHFETs with HfO₂ gate oxide. The capacitance (C)-voltage (V) curve of the Al₂O₃/GaN MOS diodes showed a lower hysteresis and lower interface state density than the C-V curve of the HfO₂/GaN diodes, indicating better quality of the Al₂O₃/GaN interface. The saturation of drain current in the I_D-V_GS relation of the Al₂O₃ AlGaN/GaN MOSHFETs was not as pronounced as that of the HfO₂ AlGaN/GaN MOSHFETs. The gate leakage current of the Al₂O₃ MOSHFET was five to eight orders of magnitude smaller than that of the HfO₂ MOSHFETs.     

Systematic characterization of Cl2 reactive ion etchingfor improved ohmics in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

Pre-metal-deposition reactive ion etching (RIE) was performed on an Al_0.3Ga_0.7N/AlN/GaN heterostructure in order to improve the metal-to-semiconductor contact resistance. An optimum AlGaN thickness for minimizing contact resistance was determined. An initial decrease in contact resistance with etching time was explained in terms of removal of an oxide surface layer and/or by an increase in tunnelling current with the decrease of the AlGaN thickness. The presence of a dissimilar surface layer was confirmed by an initial nonuniform etch depth rate. An increase in contact resistance for deeper etches was experienced. The increase was related to depletion of the two-dimensional (2-D) electron gas (2-DEG) under the ohmics. Etch depths were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The contact resistance decreased from about 0.45 Ωmm for unetched ohmics to a minimum of 0.27 Ωmm for 70 Å etched ohmics. The initial thickness of the AlGaN layer was 250 Å. The decrease in contact resistance, without excessive complications on device processing, supports RIE etching as a viable solution to improve ohmic contact resistance in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs     

Trapping effects and microwave power performance in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

The dc small-signal, and microwave power output characteristics of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs are presented. A maximum drain current greater than 1 A/mm and a gate-drain breakdown voltage over 80 V have been attained. For a 0.4 μm gate length, an f_T of 30 GHz and an f_max of 70 GHz have been demonstrated. Trapping effects, attributed to surface and buffer layers, and their relationship to microwave power performance are discussed. It is demonstrated that gate lag is related to surface trapping and drain current collapse is associated with the properties of the GaN buffer layer. Through a reduction of these trapping effects, a CW power density of 3.3 W/mm and a pulsed power density of 6.7 W/mm have been achieved at 3.8 GHz     

Towards metal electrode interface scavenging of rare-earth scandates: A Sc2O3 and Gd2O3 study

Amorphous Gd₂O₃ and Sc₂O₃ thin films were deposited on Si by high-pressure sputtering (HPS). In order to reduce the uncontrolled interfacial SiO_x growth, firstly a metallic film of Gd or Sc was sputtered in pure Ar plasma. Subsequently, they were in situ plasma oxidized in an Ar/O₂ atmosphere. For post-processing interfacial SiO_x thickness reduction, three different top metal electrodes were studied: platinum, aluminum and titanium. For both dielectrics, it was found that Pt did not react with the films, while Al reacted with them forming an aluminate-like interface and, finally, Ti was effective in scavenging the SiO₂ interface thickness without severely compromising gate dielectric leakage.     

Effects of output harmonic termination on PAE and output power of AlGaN/GaN HEMT power amplifier

The authors experimentally investigate and discuss the effects of output harmonic termination on power added efficiency (PAE) and output power of an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) power amplifier (PA). The AlGaN/GaN HEMT PA with gate periphery of 1 mm was built and tested at L-band. Large-signal measurements and comparisons of the PAE and output power were carried out at different DC bias conditions from 50% of saturated drain current (I/sub dss/) to 1% of Id., for the PA with and without output harmonic termination. For class-AB operation at 25% of I/sub dss/, an increase of about 10% in peak PAE and 1 dBm in output power were observed in saturated output power range. Improvements of up to 9% in PAE and 1.2 dBm in output power were achieved over the measured DC bias conditions provided the output harmonics are properly terminated.     

凹栅槽AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件退火处理效应

研究了如何减小等离子体干法刻蚀导致的大肖特基漏电.用X射线光电能谱(XPS)分析刻蚀前后的AlGaN表面,发现刻蚀后AlGaN表面出现了N窄位,导致肖特基栅电流偏离热电子散射模型,N空位做为一种缺陷使得肖特基结的隧穿几率增大,反向漏电增大,肖特基势垒降低.介绍了一种AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件退火处理方法,优化退火条件为400℃,Nz氛围退火10min.退火后,栅金属中的Ni与Ga原子反应从而减少N空穴造成的缺陷,器件肖特基反向漏电减小三个量级,正向开启电压升高,理想因子从3.07降低到了2.08.     

Investigation of High-Electric-Field Degradation Effects in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

High-electric-field degradation phenomena are investigated in GaN-capped AlGaN/GaN HEMTs by comparing experimental data with numerical device simulations. Under power- and OFF-state conditions, 150-h DC stresses were carried out. Degradation effects characterizing both stress experiments were as follows: a drop in the dc drain current, the amplification of gate-lag effects, and a decrease in the reverse gate leakage current. Numerical simulations indicate that the simultaneous generation of surface (and/or barrier) and buffer traps can account for all of the aforementioned degradation modes. Experiments also showed that the power-state stress induced a drop in the transconductance at high gate-source voltages only, whereas the OFF-state stress led to a uniform transconductance drop over the entire gate-source-voltage range. This behavior can be reproduced by simulations provided that, under the power-state stress, traps are assumed to accumulate over a wide region extending laterally from the gate edge toward the drain contact, whereas, under the OFF-state stress, trap generation is supposed to take place in a narrower portion of the drain-access region close to the gate edge and to be accompanied by a significant degradation of the channel transport parameters.     

凹栅槽AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件退火处理效应

研究了如何减小等离子体干法刻蚀导致的大肖特基漏电. 用X射线光电能谱（XPS）分析刻蚀前后的AlGaN表面,发现刻蚀后AlGaN表面出现了N空位,导致肖特基栅电流偏离热电子散射模型,N空位做为一种缺陷使得肖特基结的隧穿几率增大,反向漏电增大,肖特基势垒降低. 介绍了一种AlGaN/GaN HEMTs器件退火处理方法,优化退火条件为400℃, N2氛围退火10min. 退火后,栅金属中的Ni与Ga原子反应从而减少N空穴造成的缺陷,器件肖特基反向漏电减小三个量级,正向开启电压升高,理想因子从3.07降低到了2.08.     

Fabrication and characterization of high performance AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on sapphire with silicon nitride passivation

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors(HEMTs)with high performance were fabricated and characterized.A variety of techniques were used to improve device performance,such as AlN interlayer,silicon nitride passivation,high aspect ratio T-shaped gate,low resistance ohmic contact and short drain-source distance. DC and RF performances of as-fabricated HEMTs were characterized by utilizing a semiconductor characterization system and a vector network analyzer,respectively.As-fabricated devices exhibited a maximum drain current density of 1.41 A/mm and a maximum peak extrinsic transconductance of 317 mS/mm.The obtained current density is larger than those reported in the literature to date,implemented with a domestic wafer and processes.Furthermore, a unity current gain cut-off frequency of 74.3 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency of 112.4 GHz were obtained on a device with an 80 nm gate length.     

Post-process thermal treatment for microwave power improvement of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

The effects of post-process rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treatment after device fabrication on direct current, microwave and power performances of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with a gate-length of 0.2 μm were fully investigated. By 3 min post-process RTA treatment at 350 °C under N₂ atmosphere, the direct current (DC), radio frequency (RF) small signal and power performances of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs have been much improved. The output power, power gain and power added efficiency (PAE) of GaN HEMT device with gate wide of 1 mm increase from 37.09 dBm, 6.09 dB and 42.79% to 38.22 dBm, 7.22 dB and 67.3%. The post-process RTA after device fabrication has two merits. On the one hand, it improves passivation effect of SiN_x dielectric layer on AlGaN/GaN HEMT surface, suppressing RF current dispersion. On the other hand, it helps recover dry-etch damage at the Schottky metal/AlGaN interface, leading to reduction of reverse Schottky leakage current.     

蓝宝石衬底上使用氮化硅钝化的AlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管的研制与特性分析

本文研制了高性能的AlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管并进行了特性分析。诸如氮化铝插入层、氮化硅钝化、高宽窄比的T型栅、减小欧姆接触电阻和缩短漏源距离等技术被用于提高器件性能。使用半导体参数分析仪和矢量网络分析仪分别对前制器件的直流和交流特性进行了表征。所得80nm栅长的器件其最大漏极电流密度为1.41A/mm,该结果为到目前为止国内文献报道的最大值。同时测得峰值跨导为317mS/mm,特征频率为74.3GHz,最高振荡频率为112.4GHz。     

X- and Ka-band power performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs grown by ammonia-MBE

A report is presented on the power performance of deep submicron AIGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors grown by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy. At 10 GHz, 70% power-added-efficiency (PAE) and 3 W/mm power density were demonstrated at a drain bias of 20 V. At 30 GHz, 31% PAE and 6.5 W/mm power density were achieved at a drain bias of 40 V.