Characterization of AlGaN/GaN structures on various substrates grown by radio frequency-plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy

The structural properties and surface morphology of AlGaN/GaN structures grown on LiGaO₂ (LGO), sapphire, and hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE)-grown GaN templates are compared. AlGaN grown on LGO substrates shows the narrowest x-ray full width at half maximum (FWHM) for both symmetric 〈00.4〉 and asymmetric 〈10.5〉 reflections. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis on AlGaN surfaces on LGO substrates also show the smoothest morphology as determined by grain size and rms roughness. The small lattice mismatch of LGO to nitrides and easily achievable Ga-polarity of the grown films are the primary reasons for the smoother surface of AlGaN/GaN structure on this alternative substrate. Optimizations of growth conditions and substrate preparation results in step flow growth for an AlGaN/GaN structure with 300 Å thick Al_0.25Ga_0.75N on 2.4 μm thick GaN. A high III/V flux ratio during growth and recently improved polishing of LGO substrates aids in promoting two dimensional step flow growth. The GaN nucleation layer directly on the LGO substrate showed no evidence of mixed phase cubic and hexagonal structure that is typically observed in the nucleation buffer on sapphire substrates. Cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was performed on an AlGaN/GaN heterostructure grown on LGO. The atomic arrangement at the AlGaN/GaN interface was sharp and regular, with locally observed monolayer and bilayer steps.     

Local electronic properties of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures probed by scanning capacitance microscopy

Local electronic properties in Al_xGa_1−xN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor epitaxial layer structures are probed using scanning capacitance microscopy. Acquisition of scanning capacitance images over a wide range of bias voltages combined with theoretical analysis and numerical simulation allows the presence, detailed nature, and possible structural origins of nanometer- to micronscale inhomogeneities in electronic structure to be elucidated. Substantial lateral variations in local threshold voltages for transistor channel formation are observed, at length scales ranging from submicron to >2 μm, and found to arise primarily from local variations in Al_xGa_1−xN layer thickness. Features in electronic structure are also observed that are consistent with the existence of networks of negatively charged threading edge dislocations, as might be formed at island coalescence boundaries during epitaxial growth. The negative charge associated with these structures appears to lead to local depletion of carriers from the channel in the Al_xGa_1−xN/GaN transistor epitaxial layer structure.     

AlGaN材料金属接触的性能和界面结构研究

文章通过AlGaN材料的金属接触制作工艺和接触性能、接触界面显微结构和基础理 论研究等诸方面反映AlGaN材料的欧姆接触及势垒接触研究概况和最新进展。     

AlGaN材料的MOCVD生长研究

文章研究了AlGaN材料的MOCVD生长机制。在位监控曲线表明,AlGaN材料生长过程是由三维生长逐渐过渡到二维生长,由于Al原子表面迁移率太小,随着TMAl流量的增加,需要更长的时间才能出现二维生长,材料质量也随着Al组分的增加而下降,AlGaN的表面形貌也变差。随着TMAl流量的增加,AlGaN材料的生长速率反而下降,这是由于Al原子阻止了Ga原子参与材料生长。实验还发现,由于TMAl与NH3 之间存在强烈的寄生反应,AlGaN材料中的Al组分远小于气相中的Al组分。文中简单探讨了提高AlGaN材料质量的生长方法。     

基于AlGaN/GaN HEMT的C波段混合集成功率合成放大器的设计

研制了一种基于AlGaN/GaN HEMT的功率合成技术的混合集成放大器电路.该电路包含4个10×120 μm的HEMT晶体管以及一个Wilkinson功率合成器和分配器.在偏置条件为VDS=40V,IDS=0.9A时,输出连续波饱和功率在5.4GHz达到41.4dBm,最大的PAE为32.54%,并且功率合成效率达到69%.     

表面态对AlGaN/GaN异质结构中二维电子气的影响

基于静电学分析,得出表面态是电子的一个重要来源.基于这一分析,可以解释已发表的关于二维电子气(2DEC)的大量数据.例如,2DEG密度随着AlGaN层厚度、Al组分的变化的原因.当A10.3Ga0.7N/GaN结构中生长一层5 nm厚的GaN冒层时,2DEG浓度由1.47×1013cm-2减少到1.20×1013cm-2,减少是由于表面类施主态离化减少.由于充分厚的GaN冒层导致GaN/AlGaN/GaN上界面形成二维空穴气(2DHG),所以在超出特定的冒层厚度时2DEG浓度达到饱和.     

功率AlGaN/GaN肖特基二极管结构优化设计

利用Silvaco-ATLAS软件设计了AlGaN/GaN肖特基二极管(SBD)的基本结构,主要针对功率器件的关键参数—击穿电压进行仿真模拟,分析对比了AlGaN/GaN异质结中Al的组分、二极管阳极与阴极的间距Lac、场板的引入和长度以及FP结构下钝化层Si₃N₄的厚度t对二极管击穿特性的影响。结果显示,Lac的增加、场板的引入和FP结构下钝化层厚度t的变化均对二极管的击穿特性有所优化,但同时,Al组分的增加和Lac的增加对二极管引入了不同程度的负面影响。仿真结果对器件的实际制作具有一定的指导意义。     

Cl2/Ar/BCl3ICP刻蚀AlGaN的研究

感应耦合等离子体（ICP）刻蚀在AlGaN基紫外探测器台面制作中起着重要作用。在对比了ICP与RIE，ECR等干法刻蚀技术优缺点的基础上，采用Ni作为掩膜，Cl2/Ar/BCl3作为刻蚀气体，对金属有机化学气相淀积生长的n-Al0.45Ga0.55N进行了ICP刻蚀研究。刻蚀速率随着ICP直流偏压的增加而增加，刻蚀速率随着ICP功率的增加先增加较快后增加缓慢。最后结合刻蚀表面的扫描电镜（SEM）分析和俄歇电子能谱（AES）深度分析对刻蚀结果进行了讨论。分析表明，在满足刻蚀表面形貌的同时，较低的直流偏压下刻蚀速率较慢，但损伤较小，这对于制备高性能的紫外探测器是有利的。     

不同插入层对抑制Mg掺杂p-GaN的记忆效应

研究了低温(LT) GaN和AlN不同插入层对抑制Mg掺杂p-GaN金属有机化学气相沉积外延中存在的记忆效应的影响,外延生长p-GaN缓冲层,制作具有该缓冲层的AlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管(HEMT),并对该器件进行电学测试.二次离子质谱仪测试表明p-GaN上10 nm厚的LT-GaN插入层相比于2 nm厚的AlN插入层能更好地抑制Mg扩散.霍尔测试表明,2 nm厚的AlN插入层的引入和GaN存在较大的晶格失配会引入位错,进而会降低AlGaN/GaNHEMT的电子迁移率以及增加其方块电阻;含有10 nm厚的LT-GaN插入层的p-GaN作为缓冲层的AlGaN/GaN HEMT,其方块电阻、电子迁移率以及二维电子气(2DEG)密度分别为334.9 Ω/口,1 923 cm2/(V·s)和9.68×1012 cm-2.器件具有很好的直流特性,其饱和电流为470 mA/mm,峰值跨导为57.7 mS/mm,电流开关比为3.13×109.