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Title: Vertical GaN power diodes with a bilayer edge termination

Abstract

Vertical GaN power diodes with a bilayer edge termination (ET) are demonstrated. The GaN p-n junction is formed on a low threading dislocation defect density (104 - 105 cm-2) GaN substrate, and has a 15-μm-thick n-type drift layer with a free carrier concentration of 5 × 1015 cm-3. The ET structure is formed by N implantation into the p+-GaN epilayer just outside the p-type contact to create compensating defects. The implant defect profile may be approximated by a bilayer structure consisting of a fully compensated layer near the surface, followed by a 90% compensated (p) layer near the n-type drift region. These devices exhibit avalanche breakdown as high as 2.6 kV at room temperature. In addition simulations show that the ET created by implantation is an effective way to laterally distribute the electric field over a large area. This increases the voltage at which impact ionization occurs and leads to the observed higher breakdown voltages.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Avogy Inc., San Jose, CA (United States)
  3. Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1236482
Report Number(s):
SAND-2015-7150J
Journal ID: ISSN 0018-9383; 603200
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 63; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0018-9383
Publisher:
IEEE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; powder semiconductor devices; p-n junctions; gallium nitride; avalanche breakdown

Citation Formats

Dickerson, Jeramy R., Allerman, Andrew A., Bryant, Benjamin N., Fischer, Arthur J., King, Michael P., Moseley, Michael W., Armstrong, Andrew M., Kaplar, Robert J., Kizilyalli, Isik C., Aktas, Ozgur, and Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J.. Vertical GaN power diodes with a bilayer edge termination. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1109/TED.2015.2502186.
Dickerson, Jeramy R., Allerman, Andrew A., Bryant, Benjamin N., Fischer, Arthur J., King, Michael P., Moseley, Michael W., Armstrong, Andrew M., Kaplar, Robert J., Kizilyalli, Isik C., Aktas, Ozgur, & Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J.. Vertical GaN power diodes with a bilayer edge termination. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/TED.2015.2502186
Dickerson, Jeramy R., Allerman, Andrew A., Bryant, Benjamin N., Fischer, Arthur J., King, Michael P., Moseley, Michael W., Armstrong, Andrew M., Kaplar, Robert J., Kizilyalli, Isik C., Aktas, Ozgur, and Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J.. Mon . "Vertical GaN power diodes with a bilayer edge termination". United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/TED.2015.2502186. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1236482.
@article{osti_1236482,
title = {Vertical GaN power diodes with a bilayer edge termination},
author = {Dickerson, Jeramy R. and Allerman, Andrew A. and Bryant, Benjamin N. and Fischer, Arthur J. and King, Michael P. and Moseley, Michael W. and Armstrong, Andrew M. and Kaplar, Robert J. and Kizilyalli, Isik C. and Aktas, Ozgur and Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J.},
abstractNote = {Vertical GaN power diodes with a bilayer edge termination (ET) are demonstrated. The GaN p-n junction is formed on a low threading dislocation defect density (104 - 105 cm-2) GaN substrate, and has a 15-μm-thick n-type drift layer with a free carrier concentration of 5 × 1015 cm-3. The ET structure is formed by N implantation into the p+-GaN epilayer just outside the p-type contact to create compensating defects. The implant defect profile may be approximated by a bilayer structure consisting of a fully compensated layer near the surface, followed by a 90% compensated (p) layer near the n-type drift region. These devices exhibit avalanche breakdown as high as 2.6 kV at room temperature. In addition simulations show that the ET created by implantation is an effective way to laterally distribute the electric field over a large area. This increases the voltage at which impact ionization occurs and leads to the observed higher breakdown voltages.},
doi = {10.1109/TED.2015.2502186},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices},
number = 1,
volume = 63,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Dec 07 00:00:00 EST 2015},
month = {Mon Dec 07 00:00:00 EST 2015}
}

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