Characterization of Trapping Effects Related to Carbon Doping Level in AlGaN Back-Barriers for AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

• The impact of different carbon concentrations in the Al 0.06 Ga 0.94 N graded back-barrier and GaN buffer of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) is investigated. Four epi-wafers with different carbon concentrations, ranging from 1 × 10 17 to 5 × 10 17 cm −3 , were grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). HEMTs with 100 and 200 nm gate lengths were fabricated and characterized with dc, Pulsed-IV, drain current transient spectroscopy (DCTS), and large-signal measurements at 30 GHz. It is shown that the back-barrier effectively prevents buffer-related electron trapping. The highest C-doping provides the best 2DEG confinement, while lower carbon doping levels are beneficial for a high output power and efficiency. A C-doping of 1 × 10 17 cm −3 offers the highest output power at maximum power added efficiency (PAE) (1.8 W/mm), whereas 3 × 10 17 cm −3 doping provides the highest PAE ( > 40%). The C-profiles acquired by using secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), in combination with DCTS, is used to explain the electron trapping effects. Traps associated with the C-doping in the back-barrier are identified and the bias ranges for the trap activation are discussed. The study shows the importance of considering the C-doping level in the back-barrier of microwave GaN HEMTs for power amplification and generation.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

AlGaN/GaN

Aluminum gallium nitride

back-barrier

dispersion

double heterostructure

Electrons

Epitaxial growth

HEMTs

high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)

Logic gates

MODFETs

short channel effect (SCE)

Wide band gap semiconductors

MODFETs; HEMTs; Electrons; Logic gates; Wide band gap semiconductors; Aluminum gallium nitride; Epitaxial growth; AlGaN/GaN; back-barrier; dispersion; double heterostructure; high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs); short channel effect (SCE)

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