Solidly Mounted Resonators with Ultra-High Operating Frequencies Based on 3R-MoS2 Atomic Flakes

Conventional bulk and thin piezoelectric materials based film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) are facing an insurmountable challenge for millimetric frequency applications due to the poor piezoelectric properties of the materials when their thickness reaches the sub-micron regime. Novel FBARs for ultra-high working frequencies are in urgent demand to meet the requirements of the fast-growing 5/6G telecommunication techniques. Recent advances in 2D piezoelectric nanomaterials create an opportunity in this perspective. Here, the first FBAR chip based on 2D 3R-MoS₂ ultrathin piezoelectric flakes with a solidly mounted resonator (SMR) architecture is reported. The typical resonant frequency for an SMR device based on ≈200 nm 3R-MoS₂ flake reaches over 25 GHz with high reproducibility. Theoretical and finite element analysis suggest that the observed resonance is of longitudinal acoustic modes. This study demonstrates for the first time that the access to 2D piezoelectric nanomaterials makes high performance piezoelectric devices feasible for various promising applications including high-speed telecommunication, acousto-optic, and sensor fields,etc.     

Fabrication and characterization of pentacene-based transistors with a room-temperature mobility of 1.25 cm/Vs

Pentacene-based transistors produced by a novel neutral cluster beam deposition method were characterized, and the effects of the surface pretreatments were examined. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that the cluster beams were quite efficient in growing high-quality, crystalline thin films on SiO₂ substrates at room-temperature without any thermal post-treatment, and that an amphiphilic surfactant, octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), enhances the packing density and crystallinity significantly. The observed field-effect mobilities (μ_eff) were among the best reported thus far: 0.47 and 1.25 cm²/Vs for the OTS-untreated and -pretreated devices, respectively. The device performance was found to be consistent with the estimated trap density and activation energy, which were derived from the transport characteristics for the temperature dependence of μ_eff in the range of 10−300 K.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>-Axis Inclined AlN Films in an Off-Center System for Shear Wave Devices

AlN thin films are of continuing interest for excitation of acoustic waves in surface and bulk acoustic wave devices. We report herein on preparation and characterization of c-axis inclined AlN films by a new method of rotating the substrate holder plate to different angles in an off-center system. The microstructure of the c-axis inclined AlN films was investigated using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The analyses showed that polycrystalline AlN films with c-axis inclination of up to 12° could be obtained using the off-center system. Solidly mounted resonators based on the deposited c-axis inclined and vertical AlN films were successfully realized. The frequency responses showed dual-mode resonance characteristics located at 1.12 GHz and 1.87 GHz, corresponding to shear and longitudinal resonant modes, respectively.     

AlN薄膜异质结构声波激发特性研究

该文分别开发了两种基于AlN压电材料和原子数分数为10%的Sc掺杂AlN压电材料的薄膜叠层异质谐振器。通过有限元仿真和实验对比分析了器件的频率温度性能和Sc掺杂对谐振器声激励的影响。结果表明,Sc掺杂可能会影响压电薄膜叠层谐振器所激励声波的谐振频率、机电耦合系数和对应的频率温度系数(TCF),且对所激励声波的正反谐振点的TCF影响不同。此研究在传感及滤波器件领域极具应用潜力。     

1.8GHz AlN薄膜体声波谐振器的研制

提出了基于AlN压电薄膜多层结构的1.8 GHz射频薄膜体声波谐振器(FBAR),并进行了研究。采用修正后的MBVD等效电路模型对器件的谐振特性进行了分析和模拟。给出了采用半导体加工工艺制备器件的工艺流程,并实际制做谐振器样品,样品的测试结果:器件的串联谐振频率fs和并联谐振频率fp分别为1.781和1.794 GHz,相应的有效机电耦合系数为1.8%;串联谐振频率处和并联谐振频率处的Q值分别为308和246。该谐振器样品实际尺寸为0.45 mm×0.21 mm×0.5 mm,可以用来制备高性能的滤波器、双工器和低相噪射频振荡器等。     

基于电学拓扑结构拓展FBAR滤波器带宽研究

该文研究了一种薄膜体声波谐振器(FBAR)采用并联电感和外匹配电路的拓扑结构实现宽带滤波的方法。使用Comsol软件对FBAR进行三维结构仿真,并提取最优电极形状(变迹五边形)对应曲线到ADS中联合外匹配电路进行频带拓展,外匹配电路中的电感L_s取值直接影响滤波器带宽。经调节,最终在谐振器串联谐振频率f_s=1.97 GHz,并联谐振频率f_p=2.03 GHz的情况下实现了21.15%的相对带宽,此时对应的3 dB带宽为419 MHz, 1 GHz处的带外抑制为11.616 dB。     

Electric field-enhanced metal-induced lateral crystallization and P-channel poly-Si TFTs fabricated by it

The poly-Si thin film was obtained by electric field-enhanced metal-induced lateral crystallization technique at low temperature. Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scan electron microscope (SEM) were used to analyze the crystallization state, crystal structure and surface morphology of the poly-Si thin film. Results show that the poly-Si has good crystallinity, and the electric field has the effect of enhancing the crystallization when DC electric voltage is added to the film during annealing. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) shows that the metal Ni improves the crystallization by diffusing into the a-Si thin film, so the crystallization of the lateral diffused region of Ni is the best. The p-channel poly-Si thin film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated by this large-size grain technique. The I_DS−V_DS and the transfer characteristics of the TFTs were measured, from which, the hole mobility of TFTs was 65 cm²/V s, the on and off current ratio was 5×10⁶. It is a promising method to fabricate high-performance poly-Si TFTs at low temperature for applications in AMLCD and AMOLED.     

Microwave measurement of coplanar-type resonator fabricated with YBCO film

High temperature superconducting (HTS) Y–Ba–Cu–O (YBCO) films were prepared on MgO polycrystal substrates by the sol–gel process. The temperature dependence of the surface resistance (R_s) of the YBCO film around 9.9 GHz was observed. YBCO coplanar waveguide (CPW) quarter-wavelength (λ/4) resonator operating around 2 GHz was fabricated using the sol–gel film, and RF properties of the YBCO CPW resonator was compared with that of normal metal resonator. The temperature and stored energy dependence of the transmission characteristics were observed in order to examine the temperature and power handling capabilities of the HTS resonator. The quality factor (Q₀) of the YBCO CPW λ/4 resonator increased significantly as the stored energy decreased, whereas the resonant frequency hardly changed. Moreover, the magnetic penetration depth at 0 K (λ₀) was also estimated.     

Microwave performance-property relationships of YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films grown on LaAlO3 (001) substrate

We report correlations between growth parameters, structure and microwave performance for YBa₂Cu₃O7-δ (YBCO) thin films. Two series of YBCO thin films were grown byin-situ laser ablation. The first series were deposited at 100 mTorr oxygen pressure with a laser fluence of 2.9 Joule/cm², the second series were deposited at 600 mTorr of oxygen and a higher laser fluence of 5 Joule/cm². Microwave performance of these films was evaluated using a 5.6 GHz resonator. In both series, we found that films with higherT _c , narrower x-ray rocking curve width, and sharper electron channeling pattern tend to have higher microwave resonator Qs. Optimal film growth conditions were infered from this systematic study. Films grown at higher oxygen pressure have smoother surfaces and fewer second phases.     

Reliability of 100 nm silicon nitride capacitors in an InP HEMT MMIC process

A reliability study has been conducted on capacitors made with 100 nm of silicon nitride, in an InP HEMT MMIC fabrication process. Special wafers were fabricated, containing 1482 200 × 200 μm² capacitors each, and these were probed automatically. They were subject to ramped-voltage stress and the breakdown voltages recorded. On a typical wafer the vast majority of the breakdown voltages are between 50 and 90 V. In addition, IV curves were measured on a small number of specimens from 0 V up to breakdown. This was done in two regimes: above 25 V with a conventional setup, and below 25 V with an ultra-low-current measurement system. These were done at 25 and 175 °C above 25 V, and at 25 °C only below 25 V. The data were fitted well with a model for the conductivity, consisting of ohmic conduction at low voltages and Frenkel–Poole conduction at high voltages. Parameters of the fits included thermal activation energies, the voltage acceleration factor in the Frenkel–Poole model, and d_eff, the effective thickness of the dielectric at the thinnest point. Analysis invoked the time-dependent dielectric breakdown model, which provides the time to failure as a function of the d_eff, while d_eff can be found from the ramped-voltage measurements. From the 10 wafers that have been probed so far, the mean of the distribution of failure times (at 1.5 V, 40 °C) is above 5 × 10⁷ h, and the distribution becomes insignificant below 2 × 10⁶ h. Further, the probability of failure in 10 years at 1.5 V, 40 °C is much less than 1 in 14,600. This indicates that 100 nm silicon nitride capacitors in this technology have good reliability.     

Effect of substrate biasing and temperature on AlN thin film deposited by cathodic arc ion

Aluminum nitride (AlN) films have been grown in pure N₂ plasma using cathodic arc ion deposition process. The films were prepared at different substrate bias voltages and temperatures. The aim was to investigate their influence on the Al macro-particles, structural and optical properties of deposited films. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) were employed to characterize AlN thin films. XRD patterns indicated the formation of polycrystalline (hexagonal) films with preferential orientation of (002), which is suppressed at higher substrate bias voltage. FTIR and Raman spectroscopic analysis were used to assess the nature of chemical bonding and vibrational phonon modes of AlN thin films respectively. FTIR spectra depicted a dominant peak around 850 cm^?1 corresponding to the longitudinal optical (LO) mode of vibration. A shift in this LO mode peak towards higher wavenumbers was observed with the increase of substrate bias voltage and temperature, showing the upsurge of nitrogen concentration in the deposited film. Raman spectra illustrated a peak at 650 cm^?1 corresponding to E₂ (high) phonon mode depicting the c-axis oriented (perpendicular to substrate) AlN film. SEM analysis showed the AlN film deposited at higher substrate bias voltage contains fewer amounts of Al macro-particles.     

Effect of rapid thermal annealing of sputtered aluminium nitride film in an oxygen ambient

Aluminium nitride (AlN) thin films were deposited by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on p-type silicon (Si) substrate of (1 0 0) orientation using only argon (Ar) gas at substrate temperature of 300 °C. In order to achieve improved electrical properties, we performed post-deposition rapid thermal annealing (RTA). Sputtered AlN films were annealed in an oxygen ambient at temperatures of 600, 700, and 800 °C using RTA for 30 min. The orientation of the AlN crystal in the film was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The characteristic spectra by functional group were analyzed by Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The electrical properties of the AlN thin films were studied through capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics in metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) device using the films as insulating layers. The flatband voltages (V_FB) in C–V curves were found to depend on crystal orientations. Negative V_FB was found in the case when AlN (1 0 0) peak was found. Also, when AlN (1 0 3) peak was observed upon increasing the annealing temperature, the value of V_FB was positive and after annealing at 700 °C, AlN (1 0 3) peak intensity was found to be maximum and V_FB was as high as+6.5 V.     

基于薄膜体声波谐振器的高灵敏度质量传感器

提出了一种针对于生物传感应用的薄膜体声波谐振(Thin film bulk acoustic resonator,FBAR)质量传感器。薄膜体声波谐振器谐振频率非常高(GHz数量级),同时具有很高的品质因数,因此基于这种器件的质量传感器具有非常高的质量灵敏度。提出了三对全金属Al-W层作为布拉格声学反射层的FBAR,采用AlN作为压电层,制备出了固态装配型FBAR传感器。通过淀积不同厚度Al层顶电极,对器件的质量灵敏度进行了分析,得到质量传感器串联谐振频率在2.8GHz附近,质量响应度达到5×10-4ng/Hz/cm2,可以实现分子量级的质量传感。     

Optimization of electric properties of high-k zirconium dioxide by varying deposition and annealing conditions

ZrO₂ thin films with a smooth surface were synthesized on silicon by atomic vapor deposition™ using Zr[OC(CH₃)₃]₄ as precursor. The maximum growth rate (7 nm min⁻¹) and strongest crystalline phase were obtained at 400 °C. The increase of the deposition temperature reduced the deposition rate to 0.5 nm min⁻¹ and changed the crystalline ZrO₂ phase from cubic/tetragonal to monoclinic. These films showed no enhancement of the dominating monoclinic phase by annealing. The values of the dielectric constant (up to 32) and leakage current density (down to 1.2×10⁻⁶ A cm⁻² at 1×10⁶ V cm⁻¹) varied depending on the deposition temperature and film thickness. The midgap density of interface states was N_it=5×10¹¹ eV⁻¹ cm⁻². The leakage current and the density of interface states were lowered by the annealing to 10⁻⁷ A cm⁻² at 1×10⁶ V cm⁻¹ and to 10¹⁰ eV⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively. However, this also led to a decrease of the dielectric constant.     

Influence of Substrate Temperature on Structural and Thermoelectric Properties of Antimony Telluride Thin Films Fabricated by RF and DC Cosputtering

Antimony and tellurium were deposited on BK7 glass using direct-current magnetron and radiofrequency magnetron cosputtering. Antimony telluride thermoelectric thin films were synthesized with a heated substrate. The effects of substrate temperature on the structure, surface morphology, and thermoelectric properties of the thin films were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the thin films were well crystallized. c-Axis preferred orientation was observed in thin films deposited above 250°C. Scanning electron microscopy images showed hexagonal crystallites and crystal grains of around 500 nm in thin film fabricated at 250°C. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy indicated that a temperature of 250°C resulted in stoichiometric Sb₂Te₃. Sb₂Te₃ thin film deposited at room temperature exhibited the maximum Seebeck coefficient of 190 μV/K and the lowest power factor (PF), S ² σ, of 8.75 × 10⁻⁵ W/mK². When the substrate temperature was 250°C, the PF increased to its highest value of 3.26 × 10⁻³ W/mK². The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the thin film were 2.66 × 10⁵ S/m and 113 μV/K, respectively.     

High breakdown voltage Schottky rectifier fabricated on bulk n-GaN substrate

Vertical Schottky rectifiers have been fabricated on a free-standing n-GaN substrate. Circular Pt Schottky contacts with different diameters (50 μm, 150 μm and 300 μm) were prepared on the Ga-face and full backside ohmic contact was prepared on the N-face by using Ti/Al. The electron concentration of the substrate was as low as 7 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻³. Without epitaxial layer and edge termination scheme, the reverse breakdown voltages (V_B) as high as 630 V and 600 V were achieved for 50 μm and 150 μm diameter rectifiers, respectively. For larger diameter (300 μm) rectifiers, V_B dropped to 260 V. The forward turn-on voltage (V_F) for the 50 μm diameter rectifiers was 1.2 V at the current density of 100 A/cm², and the on-state resistance (R_on) was 2.2 mΩ cm², producing a figure-of-merit (V_B)²/R_on of 180 MW cm⁻². At 10 V bias, forward currents of 0.5 A and 0.8 A were obtained for 150 μm and 300 μm diameter rectifiers, respectively. The devices exhibited an ultrafast reverse recovery characteristics, with the reverse recovery time shorter than 20 ns.     

Preparation of Oriented Aluminum Nitride Thin Films on Polyimide Films and Piezoelectric Response with High Thermal Stability and Flexibility

c‐Axis oriented aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films are successfully prepared on amorphous polyimide films by radiofrequency magnetron reactive sputtering at room temperature. Structural analysis shows that the AlN films have a wurtzite structure and consist of c‐axis oriented columnar grains about 100 nm wide. The full width at half maximum of the X‐ray diffraction rocking curves and piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ of the AlN films are 8.3° and 0.56 pC N^–1, respectively. The AlN films exhibit a piezoelectric response over a wide temperature range, from –196 to 300 °C, and can measure pressure within a wide range, from pulse waves of hundreds of pascals to 40 MPa. Moreover, the sensitivity of the AlN films increases with the number of times it was folded, suggesting that we can control the sensitivity of the AlN films by changing the geometric form. These results were achieved by a combination of preparing the oriented AlN thin films on polyimide films, and sandwiching the AlN and polymer films between top and bottom electrodes, such as Pt/AlN/polyimide/Pt. They are thin (less than 10 μm), self powered, adaptable to complex contours, and available in a variety of configurations. Although AlN is a piezoelectric ceramic, the AlN films are flexible and excellent in mechanical shock resistance.     

Tailored wafer holder for a reliable deposition of sputtered aluminium nitride thin films at low temperatures

Active actuated resonant micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) are used for sensing purpose like topography analysis and viscosity sensors. Those applications require straight beams and they rely on controlled film stress of the involved thin films, e.g. the active piezoelectric aluminium nitride (AlN) layer. The AlN consists of aluminium and nitrogen and is deposited with a reactive sputter process. The deposition process heats up the substrate and therefore the wafer bow of the substrate causes a variation of the thermal connection between wafer and sample holder. This goes along with undefined film stress of the AlN layer. In order to minimize the derivation of film stress, the reduction of substrate temperature and the enhancement of thermal connection between substrate and substrate holder is targeted. Therefore a novel clamped substrate holder is designed. High thermal connection to the ambient equipment, equal heat distribution and clamping of wafer stabilize the deposited AlN layer. By examining the layer stress and applying an acid structuring method, an improvement of deposited film is observed. A long term study with AlN deposition with thicknesses of 0.5 µm, 1.0 µm and 2.0 µm on silicon wafers was made to confirm the enhancement.     

Si基薄膜体声波谐振器(FBAR)技术研究

介绍了目前国际上主流的薄膜体声波谐振器(FBAR)技术,分析了FBAR谐振器的结构设计和压电薄膜选取方案。依托Si基半导体工艺平台,采用牺牲层技术完成了空气腔的制作,利用磁控反应溅射技术制备的高质量(002)AlN薄膜作为压电材料,基于FBAR多层立体结构,实现了空气腔型FBAR谐振器的制作工艺,实际制作了FBAR谐振器样品。实测FBAR谐振器样品典型指标:Q值≥300,谐振频率为1.46 GHz,谐振频率覆盖L波段。测试结果验证了设计方案及工艺路径的正确性与可行性,为后续产品的研发提供了技术基础。     

High-frequency performance of metamorphic InP/In0.53Ga0.47As/InP DHBT in common base configuration on GaAs substrates

In this work, we report the detailed high-frequency noise and power characterization of metamorphic InP double heterojunction bipolar transistors in common base configuration. The noise and power performances were investigated for 5×10 μm² device. A minimum noise figure of 2.3 dB with an associated gain of 14.5 dB at 2 GHz, and a maximum output power of 13.0 dBm with a power added efficiency of 47.8% at 2.4 GHz were obtained.