The ohmic contact formation mechanism of Au/Pt/Pd ohmic contact to p-ZnTe

The ohmic contact formation mechanism and the role of Pt layer of Au(500Å) Pt(500Å)/Pd(100Å) ohmic contact to p-ZnTe were investigated. The specific contact resistance of Au/Pt/Pd contact depended strongly on the annealing temperature. As the annealing temperature increased, the specific contact resistance decreased and reached a minimum value of 6×10^?6 Θcm² at 200°C. From the Hall measurement, the hole concentration increased with the annealing temperature and reached a maximum value of 2.3×10¹⁹ cm^?3 at 300°C. The Schottky barrier height decreased with the increase of annealing temperature and reached a minimum value of 0.34 eV at 200°C and it was due to the interfacial reaction of Pd and ZnTe. Therefore, the decrease of contact resistance was due to the increase of doping concentration as well as the decrease of Schottky barrier height by the interfacial reaction of Pd ZnTe. The specific contact resistances of Au Pd, Au/Pt/Pd and Au/Mo/Pd as a function of annealing time was investigated to clarify the role of Pt layer.     

High current p/p+-diamond Schottky diode

Epitaxial p-type Schottky diodes have been fabricated on p⁺ -substrate. While the activation energy of the epitaxial layer conductivity is 390 meV, that of the substrate is only 50 meV. At forward bias the substrate conductivity dominates above 150°C, leading for a 5×10^-5 cm² area contact to a series resistance of 14 Ω at 150°C reducing to 8 Ω at 500°C. To our knowledge, this is the lowest series resistance reported so far for a diamond Schottky diode enabling extremely high current densities of 10³ A/cm and a current rectification ratio at ±2 V of 10⁵ making these diodes already attractive as high temperature rectifiers     

High-voltage Ni- and Pt-SiC Schottky diodes utilizing metal fieldplate termination

We have fabricated 1 kV 4H and 6H SiC Schottky diodes utilizing a metal-oxide overlap structure for electric field termination. This simple structure when used with a high barrier height metal such as Ni has consistently given us good yield of Schottky diodes with breakdown voltages in excess of 60% of the theoretically calculated value. This paper presents the design considerations, the fabrication procedure, and characterization results for these 1 kV Ni-SiC Schottky diodes. Comparison to similarly fabricated Pt-SiC Schottky diodes is reported. The Ni-SiC ohmic contact formation has been studied using Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The characterization study includes measurements of current-voltage (I-V) temperature and capacitance-voltage (C-V) temperature characteristics. The high-temperature performance of these diodes has also been investigated. The diodes show good rectifying behavior with ON/OFF current ratios, ranging from 10⁶ to 10 at 27°C and in excess of 10⁶ up to 300°C     

GaN n- and p-type Schottky diodes: Effect of dry etch damage

The reverse breakdown voltage (V_B) and forward turn-on voltage (V_F) of n- and p-GaN Schottky diodes were used to examine the effects of Cl₂/Ar and Ar plasma damage. Even short plasma exposures (4 secs) produced large changes in both V_B and V_F, with ion mass being a critical factor in determining the magnitude of the changes. The damage depth was established to be 500-600 Å and the damaged material could be removed in boiling NaOH solutions, producing a full recovery of the diode properties. Annealing at 700 to 800°C under N₂ produced only a partial recovery of V_B and V_F     

High-temperature Schottky diodes with thin-film diamond base

High-temperature (500-580°C) current-voltage (I-V ) characteristics of gold contacts to boron-doped homoepitaxial diamond films prepared using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method are described. Schottky diodes were formed using gold contacts to chemically cleaned boron-doped homoepitaxial diamond films. These devices incorporate ohmic contacts formed by annealing Au(70 nm)/Ti(10 nm) layers in air at 580°C. The experiments with homoepitaxial diamond films show that the leakage current density increases with the contact area. This implies that a nonuniform current distribution exists across the diode, presumably due to crystallographic defects in the diamond film. As a result, Au contacts with an area >1 mm² are essentially ohmic and can be used to form back contacts to Schottky diodes. Schottky diodes fabricated in this matter also show rectifying I-V characteristics in the 25-580°C temperature range     

Silicon Schottky barriers and p-n junctions with highly stablealuminum contact metallization

Reactively sputtered amorphous Ta₃₆Si₁₄N₅₀ thin films are investigated as diffusion barriers to improve the thermal stability of contacts to electronic devices, specifically between Al overlayers and Si substrates. Electrical measurements on Schottky diodes and on shallow n ⁺-p junction diodes are used to evaluate the thermal stability of the (Si)/W₄₈Si₂₀N₃₂/Ta₃₆Si ₁₄N₅₀/Al metallization. The W₄₈Si₂₀N₃₂ contacting layer is added to raise the Schottky barrier height on n-type Si. It is shown that a 100-nm-thick Ta₃₆Si₁₄N₅₀ layer effectively prevents the intermixing between Al and Si. With this barrier layer, both shallow junctions and Schottky diodes are electrically stable up to 700°C for 20 min (above the Al melting point of 660°C ), which makes this material the best thin-film diffusion barrier on record     

Characteristics of polysilicon contacted shallow junction diodeformed with a stacked-amorphous-silicon film

A high-performance shallow junction diode formed with a stacked-amorphous-silicon (SAS) film is presented. Since the boundaries of stacked silicon layers and the poly/mono silicon interface act as a diffusion barrier for implanted dopants, the junction depth of SAS emitter contacted diode is about 500 Å shallower than that of the as-deposited polysilicon emitter contacted diode. The fabricated SAS emitter contacted diodes exhibited a very low reverse leakage current (⩽1 nA/cm² at -5 V) and a forward ideality factor m ≈1.001 over seven decades on a log scale. The reverse I-V characteristics were found to be nearly independent of the reverse voltage from room temperature to 200°C, and it was also found that the leakage current was due almost completely to the diffusion current. The plots of the diode leakage current versus the perimeter to area ratio showed that the periphery-generation current contributed little to the total leakage. The processing temperature for the SAS emitter contacted p⁺-n diode can be as low as 600°C     

MOSFET transistors fabricated with high permitivity TiO2dielectrics

Layers of polycrystalline anatase TiO₂ have been deposited through the thermal decomposition of titanium tetrakisisopropoxide (TTIP). 500 Å films deposited and annealed in oxygen at 750°C had average roughnesses (R_a) of about 30 Å. Capacitors made from 190 Å layers of TiO₂ displayed a voltage dependent accumulation capacitance. This was postulated to be caused by finite width effects in the accumulation layer which we have dubbed the quantum capacitance effect. N-channel transistors made with these films showed near ideal behavior, but mobilities were significantly lower than those of thermal oxide MOSFETs. This mobility reduction was believed to be caused by interface states, which fell below 10¹¹ cm^-2 eV^-1 at midgap, but rose sharply on either side, unlike the “U” shaped behavior in thermal oxide MOSFET's     

Thermally annealed Ni/n-GaAs(Si)/In Schottky barrier diodes

We have identically prepared as many as eight Ni/n-GaAs/In Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) using an n-type GaAs substrate with a doping density of about 7.3 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻³. The thermal stability of the Ni/n-GaAs/In Schottky diodes has been investigated by means of current-voltage (I-V) techniques after annealed for 1 min in N₂ atmosphere from 200 to 700 °C. For Ni/n-GaAs/In SBDs, the Schottky barrier height Φ_b and ideality factor n values range from 0.853 ± 0.012 eV and 1.061 ± 0.007 (for as-deposited sample) to 0.785 ± 0.002 eV and 1.209 ± 0.005 (for 600 °C annealing). The ideality factor values remained about unchanged up to 400 °C annealing. The I-V characteristics of the devices deteriorated at 700 °C annealing.     

Study of Ti/W/Cu,Ti/Co/Cu,and Ti/Mo/Cu multilayer structures as schottky metals for GaAs diodes

Schottky structures with copper and refractory metals as diffusion barrier for GaAs Schottky diodes were evaluated. These structures have lower series resistances than the conventionally used Ti/Pt/Au structure. Based on the electrical and material characteristics, the Ti/W/Cu and Ti/Mo/Cu Schottky structures are thermally stable up to 400°C; the Ti/Co/Cu Schottky structure is thermally stable up to 300°C. Overall, the copper-metallized Schottky structures have excellent electrical characteristics and thermal stability, and can be used as the Schottky metals for GaAs devices.     

The Cu/n-GaAs schottky barrier diodes prepared by anodization process

The metal-insulating semiconductor (MIS) Cu/n-GaAs diodes with thin anodic-insulating layer, which is formed by anodic oxidazation on the n-GaAs substrate in aqueous 4C₂H₆O₂+2H₂O+0.1H₃PO₄ electrolyte with pH=2.02; anodically untreated control Cu/n-GaAs diodes; and anodically treated Cu/n-GaAs diodes (several steps of anodization in the same electrolyte followed by a dip in diluted aqueous HCl solution and a subsequent rinse in deionized water) have been prepared. The anodization has increased the barrier heights as well as the ideality factors. We have obtained barrier heights of approximately 0.68 eV, 0.90 eV, and 0.92 eV for the control sample, anodically treated sample, and MIS sample, respectively, adding the contribution caused by image-force effect only. Thus, the barrier height has been increased by at least 140 meV. Furthermore, we have calculated a mean tunneling-barrier height of x=0.025 eV for the MIS Cu/n-GaAs Schottky barrier diode (SBD).     

The electrical properties and device applications of homoepitaxialand polycrystalline diamond films

Electronic applications of semiconductor diamonds are addressed. Doping and electrical properties of these films, formation of low-resistive `ohmic' contacts, surface modification methods, and experimental device applications are discussed. Of particular interest are high-temperature (300°C) MOSFETs and metal contacts to CVD (chemical vapor deposition) diamond films which were used to fabricate high-temperature (580°C) Schottky diodes, rudimentary MESFETs, and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The status of the emerging technology is reviewed with an emphasis on the areas of current research activity     

Silicon-carbide high-voltage (400 V) Schottky barrier diodes

The authors describe the fabrication and characteristics of the first high-voltage (400-V) silicon-carbide (6H-SiC) Schottky barrier diodes. Measurements of the forward I-V characteristics of these diodes demonstrate a low forward voltage drop of ~1.1 V at an on-state current density of 100 A/cm² for a temperature range of 25 to 200°C. The reverse I-V characteristics of these devices exhibit a sharp breakdown, with breakdown voltages exceeding 400 V at 25°C. In addition, these diodes are shown to have superior reverse recovery characteristics when compared with high-speed silicon P-i-N rectifiers     

Process investigations for a 30-GHz fT submicrometerdouble poly-Si bipolar technology

Major process issues are investigated to establish a manufacturable process for a 30-GHz f_T deep-trench isolated submicrometer double polysilicon bipolar technology. A thinner deep-trench surface oxide minimizes crystal defects generated by thermal stresses during the subsequent processes, and significantly improves collector-to-emitter leakage currents in npn transistors. The effects of reactive-ion-etch (RIE) process used for the base surface oxide etch are evaluated in terms of current gain, emitter resistance, and cutoff frequency of the npn transistors. Silicon surface roughness created by an RIE process produces a nonuniform interface oxide film between the emitter polysilicon and the silicon surface, which results in a lower current gain due to a retardation of arsenic diffusion from the emitter polysilicon through the unbroken thicker portion of the interface oxide film. Lateral pnp transistors and Schottky diodes using a vanadium silicide are characterized as a function of epitaxial layer thickness. Schottky diodes are integrated with high performance npn transistors without using extra photo-masking process steps. The reverse leakage currents of Schottky diodes fabricated by using an RIE process are acceptable for practical use in circuits. A planarization process is investigated by employing an RTA reflow of BPSG films deposited in an LPCVD furnace. The maximum RTA reflow temperature is limited to 1000°C in order to maintain an acceptable integrity of TiSi₂ layer formed on top of the n+ polysilicon layer. The planarity achieved by an RTA reflow at a temperature between 975°C and 1000°C is acceptable for double polysilicon bipolar integrated circuits using metal interconnects produced by an electroplated gold process     

Numerical modeling of hot electrons in n-GaAs Schottky-barrierdiodes

The drift-diffusion model, with the inclusion of the energy balance equations, is used to model DC properties of n-GaAs Schottky diodes at high forward bias voltages. The boundary condition for the energy balance equation at the Schottky contact is based on the assumption that the energy flow across the interface is equal to the energy carried by the electrons. The effects of thermionic-field emission and image force lowering are modeled with a field-dependent barrier height. The incorporation of these two effects resulted in very good agreement between simulated and measured I-V characteristics for diodes with different doping concentrations of the epitaxial layer     

Millimeter Wave Diodes for Harmonic Power Generation

A discussion of the application of point contact, electrically formed semiconductor junctions to harmonic generating applications is presented. Three different combinations of materials are considered. First, the more popular phosphor-bronze point on gallium arsenide combination is discussed. Results with this material combination when used as millimeter wave multipliers are given as a reference point. The combination n-GaAs/Cu is then examined. The slope parameter of these diodes shows that the junction is very close to that of a Schottky barrier. The conversion efficiency measured for these diodes shows a 2 to 4 dB improvement over the n-GaAs/P-Br diodes. The third combination, and by far the most efficient, was the n-GaAs/Zn diode. These are true p-n junctions (as opposed to Schottky barriers) and have measured zero bias cutoff frequencies on the order of 1000 GHz. The efficiency realized with these diodes in doubling from 70 GHx to 140 GHz typically ranged from 20 percent to 30 percent. The highest output power at 140 GHz that was measured was 16 milliwatts.     

Performance and Stability of Large-Area 4H-SiC 10-kV Junction Barrier Schottky Rectifiers

The forward and reverse bias dc characteristics, the long-term stability under forward and reverse bias, and the reverse recovery performance of 4H-SiC junction barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes that are capable of blocking in excess of 10 kV with forward conduction of up to 10 A at a forward voltage of less than 3.5 V (at 25 $^{circ}hbox{C}$) are described. The diodes show a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and a stable Schottky barrier height of up to 200 $^{circ}hbox{C}$. The diodes show stable operation under continuous forward current injection at 20 $hbox{A/cm}^{2}$ and under continuous reverse bias of 8 kV at 125 $^{circ}hbox{C}$. When switched from a 10-A forward current to a blocking voltage of 3 kV at a current rate-of-fall of 30 $hbox{A}/muhbox{s}$, the reverse recovery time and the reverse recovery charge are nearly constant at 300 ns and 425 nC, respectively, over the entire temperature range of 25 $^{circ}hbox{C}$–175 $^{circ}hbox{C}$.      

Reverse bias capacitance-voltage characteristics of Au/n-GaAs Schottky diodes under hydrostatic pressure

In Au/n-GaAs Schottky diodes, a remarkable decrease in the depletion layer capacitance was observed by application of hydrostatic pressure. The capacitance decrease induced by the hydrostatic pressure is attributed to the change of ionized additional donor-like defect centres. Since the capacitance decrease is due to hydrostatic pressure, we suggest an application as a pressure-sensitive capacitor.     

RuO2/GaN Schottky contact formation with superiorforward and reverse characteristics

This is a first time report of a ruthenium oxide (RuO₂) Schottky contact on GaN. RuO₂ and Pt Schottky diodes were fabricated and their characteristics compared. When the RuO₂ Schottky contact was annealed at 500°C for 30 min, the current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics of the RuO₂ were dramatically improved. The annealed RuO₂ /GaN Schottky contact exhibited a reverse leakage current that was at least two or three orders lower in magnitude than that of the Pt/GaN contact along with a very large barrier height of 1.46 eV, which is the highest value ever reported for a GaN Schottky system     

Thermal stability of MISFET with low-temp molecular-beamepitaxy-grown GaAs and Al0.3Ga0.7As gate ins

GaAs and Al_0.3Ga_0.7As epilayers grown at LT by MBE were used as insulators in the fabrication of MISFET devices. Parametric changes were used to evaluate the thermal stability of MISFET, to identify failure mechanisms and validate the reliability of these devices. The LT-Al_0.3Ga_0.7As MISFET showed superior thermal stability. The degradation in the performance of MISFET with 1000 Å thick LT-GaAs gate insulator was worse than those of the MESFET. On the other hand, MISFET with 250 Å thick LT-GaAs gate insulators exhibited stable characteristics with thermal stressing, LF (low frequency) noise studies on the TLM structures of MISFET layers exhibited 1/f noise in the LT-Al_0.3Ga_0.7As samples and 250 Å LT-GaAs samples; whereas the 1000 Å thick LT-GaAs samples exhibited 1/f^3/2 noise, which was attributed to: (i) the thermal noise generated at the interface of the insulator, and (ii) the active layer due to the outdiffused metallic arsenic. Reverse gate-drain current degradation experiments were carried out at 120°C, 160°C, 200°C, and 240°C. Transconductance frequency dispersion studies were carried out before and after thermal stress on these MISFET. The transconductance of MISFET with 1000 Å LT-GaAs gate insulators was degraded by 40% at 100 kHz after thermal stress. The rest of the samples exhibited stable characteristics. These results indicate that composition changes had occurred at the interface in thicker LT-GaAs MISFET structures. Thinner LT-layers are ideal for achieving higher transconductance and better thermal stability without sacrificing the power capability of MISFET