Effect of microwave treatment on current flow mechanisms in Au-TiBx-Al-Ti-n+-n-n+-GaN-Al2O3 ohmic contacts

The temperature dependences of the contact resistivity ρ_c of Au-TiB_x Al-Ti-n⁺-n-n⁺-GaN-Al₂O₃ ohmic contacts have been studied before and after microwave treatment followed by nine-nonth room-temperature sample storage. The temperature dependences of ρ_c of initial samples were measured twice. The first measurement showed the temperature dependence typical of ohmic contacts; the repeated measurement in the temperature region above 270 K showed a ρ_c increase caused by metallic conductivity. After microwave treatment, the metallic conductivity in the ohmic contact is not observed. This is presumably associated with local heating of metal Ga inclusions under microwave irradiation and the formation, due to high chemical activity of liquid gallium, of compounds of it with other metallization components. In this case, the temperature dependence of ρ_c is controlled by ordinary charge transport mechanisms. After nine-nonth room-temperature storage, the temperature dependence of ?c is described by the tunneling mechanism of charge transport.