AlGaN_GaNHEMTs表面钝化抑制电流崩塌的机理研究_英文_
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4英寸GaN衬底MOCVD外延高质量AlGaN/GaN HEMT材料研究分析高 楠 房玉龙* 王 波 张志荣 尹甲运 芦伟立 陈宏泰 牛晨亮(河北半导体所)摘 要:本文对金属有机物化学气相淀积法在4英寸GaN衬底上生长出的高质量AlGaN/GaN HEMT外延材料进行了研究分析。
生长过程采用NH3/H2混合气体及H2交替通入的方法对衬底表面进行了预处理,阻隔了界面杂质的扩散。
得益于衬底与外延的高度晶格匹配,GaN材料的螺位错密度降低到1.4×107cm-2,刃位错密度降低到3.0×106cm-2;非接触霍尔测试仪结果显示二维电子气迁移率为2159 cm2/V·s ,说明制备的材料晶体质量高且电学性能优异。
此外,由于衬底与外延之间不存在热失配,使用拉曼光谱仪发现同质外延的GaN E2(TO)峰位与衬底的E2(TO)峰位完全重合,表明同质外延过程中无应力应变产生。
关键词:GaN衬底,AlGaN/GaN HEMTStud y of High-quality AlGaN/GaN HEMT Homo-epitaxial Material on4-inch GaN Substrate by MOCVDGAO Nan FANG Yu-long* WANG Bo ZHANG Zhi-rong YIN Jia-yun LU Wei-liCHEN Hong-tai NIU Chen-liang(Hebei Semiconductor Research Institute)Abstract:High-quality AlGaN/GaN HEMT homo-epitaxial material grown on 4-inch GaN homo-substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) was studied in this paper. An alternation gas model of ammonia/ hydrogen (NH3/H2) mixed gas and H2 gas was employed to thermal treatment of GaN homo-substrate to prevent the spread of impurities. Due to the match of lattices, the density of screw dislocation was as low as 1.4×107cm-2 and the density of edge dislocation reached 3.0×106cm-2. The contactless Hall test results showed that the AlGaN/GaN HEMT material had a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) mobility of 2159 cm2/V•s, indicating that the homo-epitaxial AlGaN/GaN HEMT material has high quality and good electrical performance. In addition, thanks to the absent thermal mismatch during the growth, the Raman spectrum test manifested that the peak positions of E2-high for GaN homo-substrate and the epitaxial material were totally coincident, showing that there was no strain in the homo-epitaxial growth.Keywords: GaN substrate, AlGaN/GaN HEMT作者简介:高楠,硕士,工程师,主要研究方向为宽禁带半导体材料生长及相关技术。
GaN功率放大器综述随着雷达等应用系统的不断演进,研制大功率、高效率、高可靠性和小型化的功率放大器模块成为急切解决的问题。
目前,此频段的高功率放大器主要是基于GaAs PHEMT、MESFET和HBT等器件设计而成。
然而,由于受到其散热和电特性方面的限制,GaAs晶体管难以在高频领域提供更高的功率密度。
进一步采用芯片级功率合成、电路级功率合成或者空间功率合成技术制作的大功率模块,不仅体积和重量受到了限制,而且其热稳定性能也受到严格的考验。
与GaAs微波功率器件不同,A1GaN/GaN HEMT被证明是最理想的功率放大器材料[1]-[3],其拥有相当于GaAs数十倍的功率密度,减少放大器模块整体尺寸,减轻了重量;更高的击穿电压,从而在相同的栅宽下,GaN的输出功率更大;并且AlGaN/GaN HEMT的输出阻抗较大,从而降低了匹配电路的复杂性,更利于电路的匹配。
一、GaN功率放大器基本情况介绍GaN器件的研究,无论是在学术界还是工业界,都达到了空前繁盛的阶段。
美国和日本的很多大学及研究机构、商业公司,都投入了非常大的财力物力,希望在GaN市场上抢得先机,譬如UCSB、HRL、TOSHIBA、NEC、Eudyna、Skyworks、RFMD、TriQuint、Anadigics等[1]。
而代表目前GaN功率放大器最高水平的产品是TOSHIBA的14.5GHz 65.4W GaN HEMT器件,在21.0×12.9mm2封装中产生如此高频大功率,无论速调管、行波电子管还是其他固态技术(如GaAs,LDMOS)无法比拟的。
GaN功率放大器的主要目标市场包括:(1)无线基站市场;(2)WiMAX 市场:WiMAX基站要求功率放大器具备大功率、良好的线性和高效率,这些都是氮化镓技术的优势。
美国Nitronex公司和日本Eudyna公司已经能够向市场提供商业化的WiMAX基站器件了,当然这些公司同时也能够提供硅和砷化镓的器件。
GaNHEMT⼯作原理与 GaAs HEMT器件⼯作原理类似, GaN HEMT在禁带宽度更⼤的 AlGaN层与禁带宽度稍⼩的GaN层之间形成了异质结,其能带图如图1所⽰。
为了达到热平衡,电⼦从 AIGaN材料流向了GaN 层,并被限制在GaN层的界⾯处(导带不连续形成的量⼦阱),从⽽形成了能够从源极向漏极运动的2DEG。
由于电⼦与它们的电离施主在空间上是隔离的,所以2DEG的电⼦迁移率较⾼(约2000cm2/(V·s)),其浓度主要受栅极电压的控制,⽽不是在沟道中植⼊或扩散施主或受主离⼦,故GaN HEMT也被称为调制掺杂FET( MODFET)。
图1 AlGaN/ GaN HEMT能带结构⽰意图GaN HEMT中的2DEG的形成与材料的极化效应有关。
图2为Ga⾯(0001)和N⾯(000Ī)⽣长的GaN结构⽰意图和极化特性。
虽然N⾯GaN具有更⼩的接触电阻,但其击穿电压⽐Ga⾯GaN更低,并且Ga⾯GaN有更均匀和平坦的异质结界⾯特性,所以Ga⾯GaN在功率器件中得到更⼴泛的应⽤。
图2 GaN晶体⽣长⽅向(Ga⾯和N⾯)结构⽰意图和极化效应AlGaN/ GaN HEMT中存在两种极化效应:⾃发极化(P SP)和压电极化(P PE)(如图2(b)所⽰)。
在Ⅲ-N族化合物共价键中,由于N原⼦最外层轨道没有电⼦占据,所有的电⼦被吸引到N原⼦⼀侧,内部原⼦核与外部电⼦间的强库仑引⼒形成了⾮对称的纤维锌矿GaN晶体结构,故引起了⾃发极化效应。
压电极化效应是由不同材料间晶格常数失配产⽣的外部应⼒引起的。
因此,在AlGaN/GaNHEMT器件中,两种极化效应的共同作⽤,在异质结界⾯处产⽣了净极化电荷,从⽽形成了2DEG,其⾯电荷密度( σsheet)可由极化电场强度公式计算得到:σsheet(x)=(P SP+P PE)Al x Ga1-x N-(P SP)GaN (1)其中,P SP是由晶体结构参数决定的⾃发极化强度,P PE是由结构参数和压电极化系数决定的压电极化强度。
p型栅增强型gan基hemt器件及其制备方法与流程P型栅增强型GaN基HEMT器件及其制备方法与流程如下:
1. 在衬底上沉积GaN,形成沟道层。
2. 在沟道层上生长AlGaN层。
3. 在势垒层上生长一层p型金刚石,形成栅极。
4. 在势垒层上且位于栅极的两侧分别形成源极和漏极。
通过采用P型金刚石栅极,可以增强能带,在栅压为0时耗尽沟道电子实现增强型特性,实现对器件阈值电压的调节,在提高漏极电流的同时保持较小的栅电流。
请注意,这只是一个基本的方法与流程,具体步骤和实施可能需要更多的细节和调整。
如果您正在进行相关的研究和开发工作,建议参考专业文献和论文,以及与该领域的专家进行交流,以获取更详细和准确的信息。
hemt器件电流崩塌效应
HEMT器件的电流崩塌效应是指,在某些条件下,器件中的电流值会低于理想电流值,导致通态电阻增大。
这一现象主要是由于AlGaN/GaN HEMT中陷阱效应的存在,使得从栅极中泄漏的电子填满器件表面的陷阱,形成虚栅,从而额外耗尽沟道中的电子,最终导致电流崩塌。
此外,高漏极偏压下缺陷捕获电子形成空间电荷,使得器件高场强区发生偏移,也会引发电流崩塌效应。
在GaN衬底制备的HEMT器件中,由于外延层晶体质量较好,缺陷较少,因此可以有效的减轻电流崩塌效应。
这对于提高HEMT器件的性能和稳定性具有重要意义。
GANHEMT器件的模型分析及振荡抑制2023-11-19目录•GANHEMT器件概述•GANHEMT器件的模型分析•GANHEMT器件的振荡抑制技术•GANHEMT器件的优化设计及实例分析•总结与展望GANHEMT器件概述GANHEMT器件的基本原理基于氮化镓(GaN)材料的HEMT(High Electron MobilityTransistor)器件,具有高电子迁移率、高频率响应和低噪声等优点。
通过栅极电压控制沟道中的电子密度,实现开关操作。
由于GaN材料具有较高的电子迁移率,GANHEMT 器件具有较高的频率响应,适用于高频信号处理。
高频率响应低噪声性能高功率处理能力由于其结构特点,GANHEMT器件具有较低的噪声性能,对信号的干扰较小。
由于GaN材料具有较高的电子迁移率和浓度,GANHEMT器件具有较高的功率处理能力。
030201GANHEMT器件的特点GANHEMT器件的高频率响应使其在高频通信领域具有广泛的应用,如卫星通信、5G通信等。
高频通信GANHEMT器件的高功率处理能力和低噪声性能使其在雷达系统中具有优势,如军用雷达、民用雷达等。
雷达系统GANHEMT器件的高频率响应和低噪声性能使其在电力电子领域具有广泛应用,如开关电源、电力控制系统等。
电力电子GANHEMT器件的应用场景GANHEMT器件的模型分析数学模型静态模型分析通常采用电路分析方法,将GANHEMT器件等效为一个电路模型,如RC等效电路,通过提取元件参数得到模型的数学表达式。
器件结构GANHEMT器件的结构包括源极、漏极、栅极和中间层等部分,其静态模型分析主要关注器件的直流特性,如电流-电压特性、电容-电压特性等。
模型验证静态模型分析的结果可以通过实验数据进行验证,通过对比实验结果与模型预测结果,对模型进行修正和优化。
GANHEMT器件的动态特性包括时间响应、频率响应和稳定性等,这些特性对于电路的性能和稳定性具有重要影响。
基金项目:国家自然科学基金重点基金(60736033);西安应用材料创新基金项目(XA-AM-200703)定稿日期:2008-10-10作者简介:张金风(1977-),女,陕西铜川人,博士,副教授,研究方向为GaN 器件机理等。
1引言在化合物半导体电子器件中,高电子迁移率晶体管(HEMT )是应用于高频大功率场合最主要的器件。
这种器件依靠半导体异质结中具有量子效应的二维电子气(2DEG )形成导电沟道,2DEG 的密度、迁移率和饱和速度等决定了器件的电流处理能力。
基于GaN 及相关Ⅲ族氮化物材料(AlN ,InN )的HEMT 则是目前化合物半导体电子器件的研究热点。
与第2代半导体GaAs 相比,GaN 在材料性质方面具有禁带宽、临界击穿电场高、电子饱和速度高、热导率高、抗辐照能力强等优势,因此GaN HEMT 的高频、耐压、耐高温、耐恶劣环境的能力很强;而且Ⅲ族氮化物材料具有很强的自发和压电极化效应,可显著提高HEMT 材料结构中2DEG 的密度和迁移率,赋予GaN HEMT 非常强大的电流处理能力。
根据各种半导体的材料性能,从输出功率和频率的角度给出了具体应用范围。
显然,GaN HEMT 非常适合无线通信基站、雷达、汽车电子等高频大功率应用;在航空航天、核工业、军用电子等对化学稳定性和热稳定性要求很高的应用场合,GaN HEMT 也是理想的候选器件之一。
自1993年第一只GaN HEMT 问世以来[1],对它的研究速度很快且成果丰富,但即便是已发展到初步商用的今天,该领域仍存在大量的科学问题,表现出“需求超前于技术,技术超前于科研”的特点。
进入21世纪以后,GaN HEMT 的材料结构以AlGaN/GaN异质结为主,器件工艺和热处理手段基本成熟,主要研究热点集中在通过器件结构设计和材料结构纵向设计来提高GaN HEMT 的频率特性和功率特性,削弱和消除电流崩塌等相关可靠性问题。
在此将全面综述这些研究进展。
第40卷㊀第7期2019年7月发㊀光㊀学㊀报CHINESEJOURNALOFLUMINESCENCEVol 40No 7Julyꎬ2019文章编号:1000 ̄7032(2019)07 ̄0915 ̄07界面处理对AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMTs器件动态特性的影响韩㊀军1ꎬ赵佳豪1ꎬ赵㊀杰1ꎬ2ꎬ邢艳辉1∗ꎬ曹㊀旭1ꎬ付㊀凯2ꎬ宋㊀亮2ꎬ邓旭光2ꎬ张宝顺2(1.北京工业大学信息学部光电子技术省部共建教育部重点实验室ꎬ北京㊀100124ꎻ2.中国科学院苏州纳米技术与纳米仿生研究所纳米器件与应用重点实验室ꎬ江苏苏州㊀215123)摘要:研究不同界面处理对AlGaN/GaN金属 ̄绝缘层 ̄半导体(MIS)结构的高电子迁移率晶体管(HEMT)器件性能的影响ꎮ采用N2和NH3等离子体对器件界面预处理ꎬ实验结果表明ꎬN2等离子体预处理能够减小器件的电流崩塌ꎬ通过对N2等离子体预处理的时间优化ꎬ发现预处理时间10min能够较好地提高器件的动态特性ꎬ30min时动态性能下降ꎮ进一步引入AlN作为栅介质插入层并经过高温热退火后能够有效提高器件的动态性能ꎬ将器件的阈值回滞从411mV减小至111mVꎬ动态测试表明ꎬ在900V关态应力下ꎬ器件的电流崩塌因子从42.04减小至4.76ꎮ关㊀键㊀词:电流崩塌ꎻAlN栅介质插入层ꎻ界面处理ꎻAlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管中图分类号:TN386.2㊀㊀㊀文献标识码:A㊀㊀㊀DOI:10.3788/fgxb20194007.0915ImpactofInterfaceTreatmentonDynamicCharacteristicofAlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMTsHANJun1ꎬZHAOJia ̄hao1ꎬZHAOJie1ꎬ2ꎬXINGYan ̄hui1∗ꎬCAOXu1ꎬFUKai2ꎬSONGLiang2ꎬDENGXu ̄guang2ꎬZHANGBao ̄shun2(1.KeyLaboratoryofOpto ̄electronicsTechnologyꎬMinistryofEducationꎬBeijingUniversityofTechnologyꎬBeijing100124ꎬChinaꎻ2.KeyLaboratoryofNanoDevicesandApplicationsꎬSuzhouInstituteofNano ̄techandNano ̄bionicsꎬChineseAcademyofSciencesꎬSuzhou215123ꎬChina)∗CorrespondingAuthorꎬE ̄mail:xingyanhui@bjut.edu.cnAbstract:TheeffectsofdifferentkindsofinterfacetreatmentonthecharacteristicofAlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMTswerestudiedinthispaper.N2andNH3plasmapretreatmentwereusedtoimprovetheinterfacequality.TheresultsshowthatN2plasmapretreatmentcouldreducethecurrentcollapseofdevices.ByoptimizingthetimeofN2plasmapretreatmentꎬitwasfoundthatthedynamiccharacteristicofdeviceswith10minthepretreatmentwasimprovedꎬwhilethatof30minwasdegraded.Asagatedielectricin ̄tercalationlayerꎬtheannealedAlNinterlayercaneffectivelyimprovethedynamiccharacteristicofthedevice.TheVthhysteresiswasdecreasedfrom411mVto111mVꎬandthedevicecurrentcollapsefactorwasreducedfrom42.04to4.76afterunderOFF ̄stateVDstressof900.Keywords:currentcollapseꎻAlNgatedielectricinsertionlayerꎻinterfacetreatmentꎻAlGaN/GaNhighelectronmobilitytransistors㊀㊀收稿日期:2018 ̄08 ̄20ꎻ修订日期:2018 ̄10 ̄17㊀㊀基金项目:国家自然科学基金(61204011ꎬ11204009ꎬ61574011)ꎻ北京市自然科学基金(4142005ꎬ4182014)ꎻ北京市教委科学研究基金(PXM2018_014204_500020)资助项目SupportedbyNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina(61204011ꎬ11204009ꎬ61574011)ꎻBeijingNaturalScienceFounda ̄tion(4142005ꎬ4182014)ꎻBeijingMunicipalEducationCommissionScientificResearchFund(PXM2018_014204_500020)916㊀发㊀㊀光㊀㊀学㊀㊀报第40卷1㊀引㊀㊀言GaN作为第三代半导体的代表ꎬ具有高禁带宽度㊁高击穿电场㊁高电子迁移率㊁以及耐酸碱等特点ꎮ以AlGaN和GaN异质结结构制备的高电子迁移率晶体管ꎬ由于极化效应产生的天然的高浓度㊁高迁移率的二维电子气ꎬ在功率开关器件的大功率及高频性能方面有很好的应用前景[1 ̄4]ꎮMIS ̄HEMT器件可以有效地减小器件的栅极漏电ꎬ提高耐压ꎬ提高栅驱动能力ꎮ但是由于栅介质的引入ꎬ产生新的界面ꎬ界面质量给器件的应用带来新的问题ꎬ影响器件的可靠性和阈值回滞等ꎮEller等[5]详细报道了对于GaN表面的处理过程ꎬ包括湿法化学处理[6]㊁真空退火处理[7]㊁气体氛围下退火处理[8]及离子束㊁等离子体处理[9 ̄10]等ꎮGaN材料表面存在含O的化合物和N空位[2ꎬ11]ꎬ这两种缺陷态成为影响界面质量的主要因素ꎬ目前的报道中ꎬ集中于使用含N等离子体来处理器件表面[12 ̄14]ꎬ主要作用机理为去除O杂质和补充N空位ꎮHashizume[15]在器件钝化作用前使用N2作为等离子体处理样品表面ꎬ得到了很高质量的钝化结果ꎬ而且界面态浓度下降ꎮRomero[16]通过原位含氮气等离子体预处理ꎬ器件的电流崩塌㊁输出功率㊁增益等特性取得了非常好的效果ꎮ在本文研究中ꎬ我们对AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMT器件工艺过程中的界面处理进行优化比较ꎬ实验利用等离子体预处理研究不同气体(N2和NH3)及不同预处理时间对器件直流性能和动态特性的影响ꎬ并在该研究基础上ꎬ继续引入AlN栅介质插入层进行界面处理ꎬ研究采用AlN栅介质插入层进行界面处理对器件动静态特性的影响ꎮ2㊀实㊀㊀验AlGaN/GaNHEMT外延材料是通过金属有机物化学气相沉积技术在Si(111)衬底上生长的ꎬ外延结构依次为成核层㊁GaN缓冲层和AlGaN势垒层ꎮ器件的制备工艺过程为:(1)界面处理过程ꎻ(2)栅介质钝化层制备ꎬ采用LPCVD沉积SiNx作为栅介质ꎬ主要考虑其具有良好的稳定性和漏电[7]ꎬ利用SiH2Cl2和NH3作为Si源和N源ꎬ温度780ħꎻ(3)注入隔离ꎬ采用F离子进行注入隔离ꎻ(4)欧姆接触制备ꎬ利用磁中性环路放电刻蚀SiNx形成窗口ꎬ电子束蒸发沉积Ti/Al/Ni/Au为20/130/50/50nmꎬN2氛围下850ħ退火30s形成欧姆接触ꎻ(5)栅电极制备ꎬ利用金属热蒸发沉积Ni/Au为50/10nm制备栅电极ꎮ图1(a)显示的是AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMT器件基本结构示意图ꎬ器件栅介质层厚度为20nmꎬ器件栅长为2μmꎬ栅宽为100μmꎬ栅漏距离为16μmꎬ栅源距离为4μmꎮ其中对于界面处理工艺过程ꎬ设计了实验Ⅰ:采用不同预处理气体N2和NH3对AlGaN/GaNHEMT表面预处理ꎬ预处理时间均为5minꎬ实验分别设置为样品A和样品Bꎮ在实验I基础上设计实验方案Ⅱ:选取N2作为预处理气体ꎬ研究不同预处理时间对AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMT器件的影响ꎬ设置样品C㊁D㊁E分别预处理的时间为0ꎬ10ꎬ30minꎮ上述等离子体预处理温度为350ħꎬ压强为266Pa(2000mtorr)ꎬRF功率为60WꎬLF功率为50WꎮSiN x2DEGAlGaNSiBufferSGAlN2DEGAlGaNSiN xSiBufferSGDD(a)(b)图1㊀(a)实验器件基本结构示意图ꎻ(b)引入插入层后的器件结构示意图ꎮFig.1㊀(a)Schematicofdevicesfordifferentpre ̄treatment.(b)Schematicofdevicestructureforsamplewithin ̄sertionlayer.为进一步改善AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMT器件性能ꎬ在上述实验的基础上ꎬ设计实验Ⅲ:采取PEALD生长的AlN作为栅介质插入层ꎬ设置样品F㊁G㊁Hꎬ引入AlN插入层的器件结构示意图为图1(b)ꎮ样品F作为空白对照组未引入插入层界面处理过程ꎬ样品G和样品H利用PEALD生长3nmAlNꎬTMAl为Al源ꎬN2为N源ꎬ生长温度300ħꎮ样品H在栅介质沉积后于N2氛围下1000ħ退火2minꎮ样品栅介质LPCVD ̄SiNx12nmꎮ器件尺寸分别为:栅长2μmꎬ栅宽100μmꎬ栅漏距离30μmꎬ栅源距离3μmꎮ每组实验均采用安捷伦B1505A进行测试表征ꎮ㊀第7期韩㊀军ꎬ等:界面处理对AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMTs器件动态特性的影响917㊀3㊀结果与讨论3.1㊀界面预处理气体的影响图2是N2和NH3预处理器件的转移输出曲线ꎬ从图2中可以看出不同的预处理气体对器件的直流特性具有明显的影响ꎮN2和NH3等离子体预处理之后器件的峰值跨导分别是64.6mS/mm和70.7mS/mmꎬ饱和电流分别为579.3mA/mm和550mA/mmꎮN2等离子体预处理的器件跨导峰值较NH3等离子体预处理器件低ꎬ但是饱和电流有所增加ꎮ在图2中还看到ꎬ相比于N2等离子体预处理ꎬNH3等离子体预处理的实验结果中存在饱和电流下降的现象ꎬ这与Kim[12]报道的一致ꎬ究其原因是在NH3在较低功率下产生等离子体的同时会产生一个H+的钝化效果ꎮ类似的钝化对于器件的RF性能会有所提升ꎬ但对器件的DC特性有退化ꎬHashizume[17]和Romero[16]的研究已经证明了这一点ꎮ为了进一步对比采用N2和NH3不同预处理气体对表面态引起的器件性能退化作用ꎬ实验对样品A和样品B进行了电流崩塌的表征ꎮ图3分别显示了关态下漏极电压600500-20V GS /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)4003002001000N 2plasmaNH 3plasma(a )-15-10-55406080200G m /(m S ·m m -1)6005002V d /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)4003002001000N 2plasma NH 3plasma(b )461012143V -3V -5V -7V -9V80V GS -15~3V 图2㊀N2和NH3等离子体预处输出曲线理器件转移输出曲线对比ꎮ(a)转移曲线ꎻ(b)输出曲线ꎮFig.2㊀TtransferandoutputcurvesforsampleAwithN2plasmaandsampleBwithNH3plasma.(a)Trans ̄fercurves.(b)Outputcurves.10080300V d /VR D y n a m i c /R O N20010100506040200N 2plasma NH 3plasmaOFF 鄄state:V GS =-15VOFF 鄄ON swtiching time:t =200滋s ON 鄄state:V GS =0V V D =1V图3㊀N2和NH3等离子体预处理器件电流崩塌对比Fig.3㊀CurrentcollapseforsampleAwithN2plasmaandsampleBwithNH3plasma10ꎬ50ꎬ100ꎬ200ꎬ300V下的电流崩塌ꎮ从图3中可以看到在不同的漏极偏压下ꎬN2等离子体预处理器件的电流崩塌因子明显较NH3等离子体预处理的小ꎬN2等离子体预处理器件在偏压100V时崩塌因子最大值为35.6ꎬNH3等离子体预处理器件为57.5ꎻ在偏压300V时ꎬNH3等离子体预处理器件的崩塌因子最大值为85.3ꎬN2等离子体预处理器件为19.1ꎮ对比器件的动静态性能ꎬ采用N2等离子体预处理能够有效地提高器件的动态性能ꎮ3.2㊀界面预处理时间的影响图4给出了不同预处理时间下ꎬ器件转移输出特性对比ꎮ结果显示不同预处理时间对样品的基本电学性能影响不明显ꎬ预处理后器件的静态性能没有大的提高ꎮ采用pulse ̄DC表征器件的动态性能ꎮ器件测试脉冲是(5msꎬ3ms)ꎬ即关态偏压施加的时间是3msꎬ测试周期是5msꎬ器件关态偏压为(VD:50VꎬVGS:-20V)ꎮ图5中展示了不同时间预处理器件的直流/脉冲输出电流曲线对比ꎮ相比于静态输出电流ꎬC㊁D㊁E样品的脉冲输出电流都发生了明显下降ꎬ其中未经过N2等离子体预处理的样品C下降最为严重ꎬ预处理时间10min的样品D结果最好ꎬ样品C㊁D及样品E的饱和电流下降幅度分别为306.1ꎬ99.1ꎬ184.5mA/mmꎮ该结果表明利用N2等离子体预处理能够明显地减小器件界面导致的性能退化ꎮ对比预处理10min的样品D和处理30min的样品E的结果ꎬ发现长时间的预处理对器件的性能有一定的损害ꎬ主要原因是长时间的预处理导致表面有正电荷或者新的施主态的积累ꎬ使得器件动态性能下降[18]ꎮ918㊀发㊀㊀光㊀㊀学㊀㊀报第40卷V GS /V600500-15I D /(m A ·m m -1)400300200CD E 1000-20-10-505V d :10V20406080G m /(m S ·m m -1)(a )V D /V6005004I D /(m A ·m m -1)400300200C D E100001081214V GS (b )-14~2V 622V -2V-6V-10V 图4㊀不同预处理时间下器件转移输出特性曲线ꎮ(a)转移曲线ꎻ(b)输出曲线ꎮFig.4㊀Transferandoutputcurvesforthreesamples.(a)Transfercurves.(b)Outputcurves.6005002V D /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(a )Pulse:(5ms,3ms)Based:(V d ,V gs )(50V,-20V)DC:V g :-14~2V step:4V V d :0~10VDCPulse40030020010000468101214166005002V D /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(b )Pulse:(5ms,3ms)Based:(V d ,V gs )(50V,-20V)DC:V gs :-14~2V step:4V V d :0~10VDC Pulse40030020010000468101214166005002V D /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(c )Pulse:(5ms,3ms)Based:(V d ,V gs )(50V,-20V)DC:V gs :-14~2V step:4V V d :0~10VDC Pulse 4003002001000046810121416600500CV D /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(d )400300D E200DCPulse100图5㊀直流㊁脉冲输出曲线对比ꎮ(a)样品Cꎻ(b)样品Dꎻ(c)样品Eꎻ(d)实验样品直流/脉冲下饱和电流对比ꎮFig.5㊀ComparisionofpulsedI ̄Vcharacteristics.(a)SampleC.(b)SampleD.(c)SampleE.(d)ComparisonofsaturationoutputcurrentdensitybetweenpulsedandDC.3.3㊀界面栅介质插入层的影响图6展示了器件的转移输出特性对比ꎮ为了更明显地显示ꎬ将样品F㊁G的对比结果显示于图6(a)㊁(b)ꎬ将样品G㊁H的对比结果显示于图6(c)㊁(d)ꎮ样品F㊁G和H阈值电压分别为-6.46ꎬ-7.62ꎬ-7.04Vꎬ由此看出采用AlN栅介质插入层导致了器件的阈值向负漂移ꎬ是因为引入AlN插入层会在表面形成极化正电荷ꎬ影响阈值电压ꎮ图6中给出了样品F㊁G和H导通电阻分别为13.8ꎬ15.7ꎬ20.6Ω mmꎮ和样品F比较ꎬ样品G和H导通电阻增加的原因可能是引入AlN介质插入层会造成导通电阻在一定范围内退化ꎬ从而使饱和电流下降[19 ̄20]ꎮ观察图6(c)ꎬ发现样品H中ꎬ从-15V扫到5V的正向及从5V回扫到-15V的转移曲线回滞明显消除ꎬ而没有高温退火的样品G中回滞现象明显ꎮ图7给出了实验样品的正向阈值与负向阈值的对比ꎬ器件的阈值在回扫过程中会出现正向漂移ꎬF㊁G和H器件的阈值回滞ΔVth(Vth负向-Vth正向)分别为411ꎬ506ꎬ111mVꎮ和样品F相比ꎬ样品H的ΔVth降低72.99%ꎬ可以看出采用退火后AlN栅介质插入层界面处理的器件阈值回滞明显消除ꎬ说明由界面引起的器件性能退化得到控制ꎮ另外ꎬ未经过退火的AlN介质插入层的界面处理的器件G㊀第7期韩㊀军ꎬ等:界面处理对AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMTs器件动态特性的影响919㊀阈值回滞反而增大ꎬ这可能是AlN材料中存在缺陷导致的ꎮ经过1000ħ的退火过程的样品HꎬAlN材料存在重结晶过程ꎬ提高了AlN材料质量ꎬ改善了界面质量ꎮ400-15V GS /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(a )30020010006Reference(F)AlN interlaye(G)V GS :-15~5VV D :15~-15V V D :10V-12-9-6-303200406080Gm /(m S ·m m -1)400V D /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(b )3002001000Reference(F)AlN interlaye(G)246810R ON (F)=13.8赘·mm R ON (G)=15.7赘·mm400-15V GS /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(c )30020010006Anneal(H)AlN interlaye(G)V GS :15~5V V GS :15~-15V V D :10V-12-9-6-303200406080Gm /(m S ·m m -1)400V D /VI D /(m A ·m m -1)(d )3002001000AlN interlayer anneal(H)AlN interlaye(G)246810R ON (G)=15.7赘·mm R ON (G)=20.6赘·mmAlN interlayer(G)图6㊀样品转移㊁输出特性曲线对比ꎮ(a㊁b)样品F㊁G对比ꎻ(c㊁d)样品G㊁H对比ꎮFig.6㊀Comparisonoftransferandoutputcurvesforsamples.(aꎬb)SampleFandsampleG.(cꎬd)SampleGandsampleH.-6.2FV t h /VGH506mV111mVV GS :-15~5V V GS :5~-15V411mV -6.0-6.4-6.6-6.8-7.0-7.2-7.4-7.6图7㊀样品F㊁G㊁H正回扫阈值回滞对比ꎮFig.7㊀VthhysteresisforsampleFꎬsampleGandsampleH.图8给出了样品F㊁G㊁H电流崩塌对比ꎮ对比样品F和G数据ꎬ可以看出未经过退火处理的AlN插入层对器件的电流崩塌的改善不明显ꎬ这一结论同图7中器件阈值回滞变化相一致ꎮ对比样品G与H可以看出ꎬ器件的电流崩塌得到了很好的提高ꎬ900V下电流崩塌因子由样品G中的42.04下降到样品H的4.76ꎬ抑制效果明显ꎮ因此利用退火AlN作为栅介质插入层进行界面处理ꎬ能够有效改善Al ̄GaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMT器件界面ꎬ提高界面质量ꎬ抑制电流崩塌ꎬ提高器件可靠性ꎮQuiesent drain bias/V80R D y n a m i c /R O N40080010060402002006001000AlN interlayer anneal(H)AlN interlayer(G)Reference(F)图8㊀样品F㊁G㊁H电流崩塌对比ꎮFig.8㊀CurrentcollapseforsampleFꎬsampleGandsampleH.4㊀结㊀㊀论本文研究了AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMT器件制备过程中不同界面处理对其性能的影响ꎮ研究发现ꎬ经过N2等离子体预处理较NH3等离子体预处理能够降低器件的电流崩塌因子ꎬ提高器件的可靠性ꎬ在该研究基础上优化了N2等离子体预处理时间ꎬ实验结果显示10min等离子体预处理能920㊀发㊀㊀光㊀㊀学㊀㊀报第40卷够有效地提高器件脉冲下电流ꎮ进一步引入AlN栅介质插入层ꎬ实验发现利用AlN插入层及退火工艺能够有效地改善AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMT器件界面质量ꎬ抑制电流崩塌ꎬ提高器件可靠性ꎬ器件的阈值回滞从411mV减小至111mVꎬ实现在关态应力900V下将器件的电流崩塌因子由42.04下降到4.76ꎮ参㊀考㊀文㊀献:[1]ZHANGZLꎬYUGHꎬZHANGXDꎬetal..Studiesonhigh ̄voltageGaN ̄on ̄SiMIS 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[13]HUANGSꎬJIANGQMꎬYANGSꎬetal..EffectivepassivationofAlGaN/GaNHEMTsbyALD ̄grownAlNthinfilm[J].IEEEElectronDev.Lett.ꎬ2012ꎬ33(4):516 ̄518.[14]EDWARDSAPꎬMITTEREDERJAꎬBINARISCꎬetal..ImprovedreliabilityofAlGaN ̄GaNHEMTsusinganNH3/plas ̄matreatmentpriortoSiNpassivation[J].IEEEElectronDev.Lett.ꎬ2005ꎬ26(4):225 ̄227.[15]HASHIZUMETꎬOOTOMOSꎬOYAMASꎬetal..ChemistryandelectricalpropertiesofsurfacesofGaNandGaN/AlGaNheterostructures[J].J.Vac.Sci.Technol.ꎬ2001ꎬ19(4):1675 ̄1681.[16]ROMEROMFꎬJIMÉNEZJIMENEZAꎬMIGUEL ̄SÁNCHEZMIGUEL ̄SANCHEZJꎬetal..EffectsofN2plasmapretreat ̄mentontheSiNpassivationofAlGaN/GaNHEMT[J].IEEEElectronDev.Lett.ꎬ2008ꎬ29(3):209 ̄211.[17]HASHIZUMETꎬOOTOMOSꎬINAGAKITꎬetal..SurfacepassivationofGaNandGaN/AlGaNheterostructuresbydielec ̄tricfilmsanditsapplicationtoinsulated ̄gateheterostructuretransistors[J].J.Vac.Sci.Technol.Bꎬ2003ꎬ21(4):1828 ̄1838.㊀第7期韩㊀军ꎬ等:界面处理对AlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMTs器件动态特性的影响921㊀[18]REINERMꎬLAGGERPꎬPRECHTLGꎬetal..Modificationof native surfacedonorstatesinAlGaN/GaNMIS ̄HEMTsbyfluorination:perspectivefordefectengineering[C].ProceedingsofIEEEInternationalElectronDevicesMeetingꎬWash ̄ingtonꎬDCꎬUSAꎬ2015:35.5.1 ̄35.5.4.[19]ACURIOEꎬCRUPIFꎬMAGNONEPꎬetal..ImpactofAlNlayersandwichedbetweentheGaNandtheAl2O3layersontheperformanceandreliabilityofrecessedAlGaN/GaNMOS ̄HEMTs[J].Microelectr.Eng.ꎬ2017ꎬ178:42 ̄47.[20]HUANGSꎬJIANGQMꎬYANGSꎬetal..MechanismofPEALD ̄grownAlNpassivationforAlGaN/GaNHEMTs:compen ̄sationofinterfacetrapsbypolarizationcharges[J].IEEEElectronDev.Lett.ꎬ2013ꎬ34(2):193 ̄195.韩军(1964-)ꎬ男ꎬ北京人ꎬ博士ꎬ副教授ꎬ2008年于北京工业大学获得博士学位ꎬ主要从事半导体材料与器件方面的研究ꎮE ̄mail:hanjun@bjut.edu.cn邢艳辉(1974-)ꎬ女ꎬ吉林德惠人ꎬ博士ꎬ副教授ꎬ2008年于北京工业大学获得博士学位ꎬ主要从事氮化镓半导体材料的生长㊁测试分析及器件等方面的研究ꎮE ̄mail:xingyanhui@bjut.edu.cn。
基金项目:国家重点研发计划(2017YFB 0403000)收稿日期:2020-07-23㊀㊀㊀通信作者:蔡小龙作者简介:孙梓轩(1995-),男,安徽安庆人,工程师,硕士,从事氮化镓射频器件可靠性研究工作;蔡小龙(1989-),男,山东东营人,工程师,博士,主要从事碳化硅光电器件及氮化镓射频器件等方面的研究工作㊂第39卷㊀第12期2020年12月电子元件与材料ELECTRONIC ㊀COMPONENTS ㊀AND ㊀MATERIALSVol .39No .12Dec .2020GaN HEMT 经时击穿可靠性的研究进展孙梓轩1,2,蔡小龙1,2,3,杜成林1,2,段向阳2,陆㊀海3(1.移动网络和移动多媒体技术国家重点实验室,广东深圳㊀518057;2.中兴通讯股份有限公司,江苏南京㊀210012;3.南京大学电子科学与工程学院,江苏南京㊀210093)㊀㊀摘要:氮化镓(GaN )高电子迁移率晶体管(HEMT )凭借着高电子迁移率㊁低导通电阻和高击穿场强等优点,在高频器件和大功率开关器件等领域得到了广泛运用㊂但经时击穿会导致在正常工作电压范围内的器件发生失效,因此GaN 器件的经时击穿成为了评估器件可靠性的关键因素㊂介绍了GaN HEMT 经时击穿的现象及偏压依赖性,总结了经时击穿的物理机制,讨论和展望了场板㊁钝化层以及栅极边缘终端结构对提升器件的经时击穿可靠性的作用㊂关键词:氮化镓;高电子迁移率晶体管;综述;经时击穿;失效;可靠性DOI :10.14106/j .cnki .1001-2028.2020.0523中图分类号:TN 304.2㊀㊀㊀㊀㊀㊀㊀㊀㊀㊀文献标识码:AResearch progress on reliability of time -dependentbreakdown in GaN HEMTSUN Zixuan 1,2,CAI Xiaolong 1,2,3,DU Chenglin 1,2,DUAN Xiangyang 2,LU Hai 3(1.State Key Laboratory of Mobile Network and Mobile Multimedia Technology,Shenzhen 518057,Guangdong Province,China;2.ZTE Corporation,Nanjing 210012,China;3.School of Electronic Science and Engineering,Nanjing University,Nanjing 210093,China)㊀㊀Abstract :Due to their high electron mobility ,low on -resistance and high breakdown field ,GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs )are widely used in high frequency and high power switching devices.Time -dependent breakdown becomes a keyfactor in evaluating the reliability of GaN HEMT ,because it could lead to failure of the device under normal operating voltage.In this paper ,the phenomena and bias dependence of time -dependent breakdown in GaN HEMTs are introduced ,and its physical mechanism are also summarized.The effect of the field plate ,passivation layer ,and gated edge termination structure to the the reliability improvement of time -dependent breakdown in GaN HEMTs are discussed.Key words :GaN ;high electron mobility transistor (HEMT );review ;time -dependent breakdown ;failure ;reliability㊀㊀由于具备高电子迁移率㊁高热导率㊁宽禁带等特点,氮化镓(GaN )高电子迁移率晶体管(HEMT )成为了第三代半导体器件的研究热点[1-2]㊂在不同衬底的GaN HEMT 中硅(Si )基GaN HEMT 具有低成本㊁大尺寸以及与Si 基互补型金属氧化物半导体(CMOS )工艺相互兼容等优势,被广泛应用于转换开关㊁充电设备等电子电力领域㊂相比传统的Si 基CMOS 器件,GaN HEMT 具备更低的导通电阻和更大的开关频率,这些特性降低了开关器件的功率转换损耗[3-4]㊂由于功率转换损耗占全球用电量的10%,因此规模性采用高效功率转换器可以节约全球大量的电力资源㊂与Si 基器件相比,采用碳化硅(SiC )衬底的GaN 器件具备更高的热导率,降低了沟道温度带来的不利影响,因此SiC 基GaN HEMT 被广泛应用于高功率射频器件中[5]㊂此外,GaN 材料的击穿场强高达约3.3MV /cm ,使GaN HEMT 高压器件能够在超过1000V 的电压下有效运行[6-7],展现了在汽车充电桩和大型工业电源应用中的广阔前景㊂但是在实际应用中,GaN HEMT 存在着经时击穿㊁自热效应㊁电流崩塌以及热载流子效应等可靠性问题,严重影响了GaN HEMT 的工作稳定性和使用寿命,因此评估和提升GaN HEMT 的可靠性成为2㊀Vol.39No.12 Dec.2020了继续扩大器件商用规模的重要一环㊂通常而言, GaN HEMT的抗击穿能力是一项关键的可靠性指标,这决定了器件的使用场景以及使用寿命,当器件的抗击穿能力与使用场景不匹配时,将会发生器件级甚至系统级的失效㊂另外,在对GaN HEMT进行击穿测试时发现,器件会发生经时击穿(TDDB, Time-Dependent Breakdown),即器件长时间处于正常工作电压范围内发生击穿失效的现象[8-10]㊂这种可靠性问题会导致GaN HEMT工作在合适的使用场景中也可能会发生失效,因此GaN HEMT的经时击穿需要得到更多的关注㊂在传统的Si基CMOS器件中,经时击穿的相关机理已经得到了深入的研究[11-13]㊂通过参考CMOS 器件经时击穿的研究思路,可以确定在研究GaN HEMT经时击穿时,首先需要了解器件经时击穿的偏压依赖性,然后根据实验结果分析出器件经时击穿失效的物理机理,最后基于前期的研究结果,优化器件的结构来提升器件的经时击穿可靠性㊂在本文中,首先介绍了GaN HEMT的经时击穿现象以及这种现象对电压的强依赖性,然后总结了GaN HEMT经时击穿的物理机理,最后讨论了场板㊁钝化层以及栅极边缘终端(GET)结构对器件经时击穿可靠性的提升㊂这将会有助于从器件工艺层面有效改善经时击穿,从而提升器件寿命及可靠性㊂1㊀GaN HEMT的经时击穿特性介绍1.1㊀经时击穿的电流特性通常采用在栅极施加电压应力,源极和漏极接地,并检测栅电流随应力时间变化的方式来表征GaN HEMT的栅极经时击穿特性㊂以Wu和Meneghini等的研究为例[14-15],在固定栅应力下测得的栅电流的变化:栅电流最初较为稳定,并在陷阱俘获效应的作用下略有下降㊂在应力时间增加到320s之前,栅电流与阈值电压都随着时间增加呈指数形式的降低,如图1(a)所示;320s之后,在栅应力的作用下大量陷阱在器件中生成,从而增大了栅电流噪声幅度,如图1(b)所示;随着应力时间的进一步增加,器件发生击穿失效,此时可以观测到器件的栅电流突然急剧增加(图1(c))㊂1.2㊀经时击穿的偏压依赖性为了研究GaN HEMT经时击穿的电压依赖性, Marcon等进行了几组不同恒定电压应力下的经时击穿测试[16]㊂在实验中对三组相同型号的器件分别施加了55,60和65V三个不同的应力电压㊂实验表明,器件的击穿时间(t BD)随着应力电压的增加而减小,如图2所示㊂因此,器件的经时击穿具有明显的偏压依赖性,即更高的偏压降低了器件的击穿时间[17-19]㊂根据经时击穿的电压依赖性,可以确定器件的内部电场对经时击穿起到了主导作用,在后续的器件设计中需要对器件的内部电场峰值进行优化处理㊂图1㊀(a)GaN器件在不同栅电压下,栅电流随应力时间的变化图[14];(b)栅电流噪声幅度随应力时间变化图;(c)阈值电压随应力时间的退化图[15]Fig.1㊀(a)The relationship between the gate current and stress time in GaN HEMT under various stresses[14];(b)Thegate current noise amplitude changes with stress time; (c)The threshold voltage degradation with stress time[15]图2㊀经时击穿的电压依赖性[17]Fig.2㊀Voltage dependence of time-dependent breakdown[17] 2㊀GaN HEMT的经时击穿机理2007年,Inoue等研究了GaN HEMT经时击穿与初始栅极泄漏电流之间的关系[20],发现了初始泄漏电流较大的器件更容易发生经时击穿㊂因此,认为GaN HEMT的经时击穿与栅极泄漏电流路径有关,长时间的电压应力会增加器件的栅极泄漏电流孙梓轩等:GaN HEMT经时击穿可靠性的研究进展第39卷㊀第12期3㊀路径,导致栅极出现急剧的电流增加现象㊂2012年,Meneghini 等提出了渗流路径物理模型来解释施加反向栅极应力时,器件参数的可逆性和永久性退化,并通过2D 仿真结果证明了该模型的合理性[15]㊂该模型认为,经时击穿是在长时间的电压应力下,于AlGaN 层中产生陷阱并最终形成渗流路径的过程㊂器件经时击穿的物理机制可以由以下六个过程进行描述:(1)器件的缓冲层中存在着施主-深受主对,当向GaN HEMT 施加反向偏置时,高能电子从栅极注入到AlGaN 层,AlGaN 层中的电子积累会导致栅极泄漏电流呈指数下降;(2)在高电场的作用下,电子从AlGaN 层注入到缓冲层中;(3)当在器件上施加较高的反向应力时,电子会获得足够的能量,同时缓冲层中的深受主杂质发生电离,这一过程在场致发光(EL )的光谱上产生宽的黄色发射峰[21-22],或者促使电子从价带转移到深受主能级并产生自由空穴;(4)在器件栅极上施加了较高的负偏压后,缓冲层中的空穴会积聚在AlGaN/GaN 界面处或被AlGaN 层中的陷阱捕获,此时界面处和AlGaN 层中的陷阱都处于正电态,这些正电荷产生的静电势会导致器件的阈值电压降低,如图3(a )所示;(5)在栅极应力下,由于器件内部存在高电场,电子会在AlGaN 层中随机产生陷阱,这些陷阱可以俘获电子,并导致栅极电流噪声增加;(6)随着应力时间的增加,陷阱会发生重叠,在栅极和缓冲层之间产生渗流路径,并导致栅极永久退化㊂基于此模型,可以判断高原生陷阱密度的器件应比低陷阱密度的器件更易发生经时击穿㊂图3(b )中的结果证实了这一判断:对在相同应力条件下的相同型号但初始泄漏电流不同的器件进行经时击穿测试,结果显示t BD 与初始泄漏电流(初始泄漏电流的大小与器件的原生陷阱密度有关)具有幂律关系(Power Law)㊂图3㊀(a )陷阱机制示意图;(b )击穿时间与器件初始泄漏电流的关系[15]Fig .3㊀(a )Schematic representation of the trap mechanism ;(b )Dependence of t BD on the initial leakage current [15]2015年,Wu 等研究了采用等离子体增强原子层沉积(PE -ALD )氮化硅(SiN x )作为栅介质的GaN HEMT 的经时击穿,发现器件在长时间栅应力下,栅介质中会产生陷阱并形成渗流路径,导致器件击穿㊂在此研究中,通过对比耗尽型(D -mode )HEMT 和增强型(E -mode )HEMT 经时击穿点分布的区别,发现栅极在AlGaN 层中拐角处的介质比栅极下侧的介质薄,更容易形成渗流路径导致器件发生经时击穿[14]㊂同年,Meneghini 等结合实验数据和仿真结果,发现了在应力条件下,GaN HEMT 器件漏极侧的栅极边缘拐角处具有很强的电场尖峰,强电场会使载流子具备更高的能量,从而更容易在钝化层中产生陷阱,这些陷阱会导致栅极边缘拐角处发生击穿[23]㊂2017年,Hu 等对GaN HEMT 栅极下方区域的经时击穿进行了实验和仿真分析,发现了GaN 器件的GET 结构在栅应力下会发生两次经时击穿的现象[24]㊂为了探究双次击穿的原因,他们仿真了栅应力-500V 下器件栅极边缘端的电场分布㊂仿真结果显示,栅极下方的二维电子气(2DEG )耗尽区域存在较大的电场,且栅极边缘终端拐角处的电场峰值高达约5MV /cm ㊂据此可以判断第一次击穿过程是在栅极边缘终端拐角处的金属/绝缘体/半导体(MIS )结构中的Si 3N 4介质层内形成了渗流路径㊂第一次击穿后器件的AlGaN /Si 3N 4界面处存在较高的泄漏电流,所以第二次击穿发生在AlGaN 层中㊂对于具有GET 结构的GaN HEMT 器件,高电场的作用会导致PE -ALD Si 3N 4首先被击穿,然后在AlGaN 势垒中发生第二次击穿㊂同年,Tallarico 等研究了具有p -GaN 栅极结构的GaN HEMT 的经时击穿[25]㊂根据Arrhenius 曲线估算出了陷阱激活能E a ʈ0.44eV ,通过与GaN 和AlGaN 器件的深能级陷阱数据库相对比[26],认为0.44eV 激活能的陷阱与p -GaN 层中的氧杂质有关[27],这意味着在长时间的栅极应力条件下,渗流路径逐渐在p -GaN 层中形成,最终导致器件栅极发生经时击穿㊂2019年,He 等提出了p -GaN 栅极结构的GaN HEMT 存在两个阶段的经时击穿[28]㊂第一阶段的经时击穿是金属/p -GaN 界面附近的耗尽层中生成的陷阱所引起的击穿;第二阶段是AlGaN 势垒层中产生的陷阱导致AlGaN 被击穿㊂在器件栅极施加正向应力后,p -GaN 层内的耗尽层使金属/p -GaN 肖特基结被反向偏置,而p -i -n 异质结被正向偏置㊂孙梓轩等:GaN HEMT 经时击穿可靠性的研究进展4㊀Vol.39No.12 Dec.20202DEG中的电子将从AlGaN势垒溢出,并注入进p-GaN层中(如果栅极应力很大,栅极也会向p-GaN层注入空穴)㊂载流子在p-GaN耗尽层的高电场作用下加速并变成高能载流子,这些高能载流子将轰击金属/p-GaN界面或界面附近的p-GaN 层,在界面处或p-GaN层中产生陷阱㊂在长时间的应力作用下,陷阱密度逐渐增加并将栅极接触从肖特基型转变为类欧姆型,引发第一次栅极击穿㊂之后,栅极电压主要被施加在了AlGaN层,陷阱开始在AlGaN层中产生,并形成渗流路径造成AlGaN 层被击穿㊂同年,Lee等研究了在交流(AC)和直流(DC)栅应力下的GaN HEMT的经时击穿,发现器件在AC应力下具备更长的t BD[29]㊂在正的DC栅应力下,AlGaN和栅介质层的导带边缘靠近费米能级,因此AlGaN和栅介质层界面处会积累电子,导致栅介质层电场增加㊂在高电场作用下,栅介质会更易发生经时击穿㊂然而,在AC应力下,AlGaN和栅介质层的导带边缘离费米能级较远,不会在AlGaN 和栅介质界面积累电子㊂所以,AC应力下的GaN HEMT具备更久的t BD㊂3㊀经时击穿可靠性的提升3.1㊀场板技术在GaN HEMT器件工作的过程中,自热效应会导致在AlGaN层表面处产生陷阱[30],同时,器件制备阶段也会在AlGaN层表面引入原生陷阱,这些陷阱可以捕获电子,并在AlGaN层表面形成负电荷㊂表面的高浓度负电荷使AlGaN能带发生弯曲,减薄了AlGaN势垒厚度,热电子更容易发生隧穿,隧穿电流过大会使器件更易发生经时击穿[31]㊂此外,器件栅极边缘拐角处存在电场尖峰,高电场会导致该区域更易产生陷阱,从而影响器件的经时击穿可靠性㊂因此,优化器件的内部电场分布,可以有效提升器件经时击穿可靠性㊂图4为具有场板结构的GaN HEMT剖面示意图,可以发现场板被放置在栅极上方,并且覆盖了栅源区域㊂由于场板与GaN HEMT的源极相连接,当器件处于工作状态时,场板与源极都处于低电位,所以栅极附近的电力线会受到低电位的吸引,部分电力线会从沟道指向场板,缓解了栅极边缘的电场尖峰,降低了栅极漏端附近的电场峰值[32-34]㊂即使在AlGaN层存在缺陷电荷,场板结构也可以使器件内部电场均匀地分布在栅极和漏极之间,降低了陷阱对AlGaN层势垒的影响㊂图4㊀场板结构示意图Fig.4㊀Schematic diagram of field plate structure 2018年,Kabemura等研究了GaN HEMT的场板结构对经时击穿的影响[35]㊂实验结果显示,场板结构的应用可以有效改善器件的经时击穿㊂其中,场板长度在0.2~0.3μm时,GaN HEMT具备最佳的经时击穿可靠性㊂当场板过长,场板边缘到漏端的距离过短时,电场会在场板边缘到漏端区域形成尖峰,导致器件更容易被击穿㊂3.2㊀钝化层技术传统的GaN HEMT工艺主要采用等离子体增强化学气相沉积(PECVD)SiN x作为HEMT的钝化层[36],SiN x钝化了AlGaN层的表面态,降低了由表面态引起的栅漏边缘电场和栅泄露电流,从而优化了HEMT的经时击穿可靠性㊂2016年,Bao等研究指出传统PECVD SiN x钝化层工艺中的活性等离子体源会破坏AlGaN表面并形成表面陷阱,增加器件的泄漏电流[37-38]㊂因此, PECVD工艺会导致器件的功耗增加以及可靠性变差㊂相比而言,低压力化学气相沉积法(LPCVD)是一种高生长温度和无等离子体源的工艺方法,该方法可以避免等离子体源对AlGaN表面的破坏㊂因此采用LPCVD SiN x代替PECVD SiN x作为GaN HMET的钝化层,提升了器件击穿电压,增强了器件的经时击穿可靠性,降低了栅极泄漏电流以及SiN x/AlGaN界面陷阱密度[39-41],但LPCVD SiN x工艺比PECVD SiN x工艺需要耗费更多的时间㊂2019年,Gao等提出了采用NiO x/SiN x和Al2O3/SiN x代替SiN x作为GaN HEMT的钝化层[42]㊂通过电子束蒸发(EB)沉积Ni和Al薄膜,然后在氧环境中退火来制备NiO x和Al2O3㊂由于NiO x和Al2O3都是化学性质稳定的氧化物且具有良好的绝缘性,所以它们可以被用作HEMT的钝化层㊂为了防止金属层被氧化物氧化,在钝化层工艺中采用NiO x/SiN x(Al2O3/SiN x)的堆叠工艺㊂他们在实验孙梓轩等:GaN HEMT经时击穿可靠性的研究进展第39卷㊀第12期5㊀中对比了NiO x /SiN x (Al 2O 3/SiN x )工艺与传统的单层PECVD SiN x ,结果显示采用NiO x /SiN x 和Al 2O 3/SiN x 作为钝化层抑制了HEMT 的电流崩塌效应,降低了栅极泄漏电流,增强了器件的抗击穿能力㊂相比于SiN x 材料,采用高k 材料如:HfO 2(相对介电常数εr ʈ20)[43]㊁LaLuO 3(εr ʈ20)[44]和TiO 2(εr ʈ20)[45]作为GaN HEMT 的钝化层也得到了广泛的研究㊂研究表明采用高k 材料的钝化层降低了器件栅极下方的电场峰值,使栅极和漏极之间的电场分布变得平滑,提升了器件的击穿电压和经时击穿可靠性[46-47]㊂2018年,Kabemura 等研究了不同介电常数的高k 材料对GaN HEMT 栅下电场的影响[35]㊂结果表明,更高介电常数的高k 材料更好地优化了HEMT 栅极下方的电场,增加了器件的击穿电压㊂3.3㊀GET 结构AlGaN /GaN 肖特基势垒二极管(SBD )结构是GaN HEMT 的重要组成部分[48-49]㊂在栅极应力下,SBD 结构中的AlGaN 层被击穿是导致GaN HEMT 经时击穿的关键原因[24,28-29]㊂因此,对SBD 结构的优化可以增强GaN HEMT 的经时击穿可靠性㊂2013年,Lenci 提出了GET 结构[50],通过在GaN HEMT 的栅极边缘增加一层Si 3N 4介质层,来改善器件的栅极边缘电场特性,如图5所示㊂在AlGaN /栅金属界面引入Si 3N 4介质层,不仅钝化了AlGaN 表面的陷阱,也增加了界面势垒高度,从而降低了栅极隧穿电流㊂实验结果显示,具有GET 结构的HEMT 在-600V 栅电压下的栅泄漏电流低于1μA /mm ,比传统栅极结构HEMT 的栅极泄漏电流低约四个数量级,这表明GET 结构的HEMT 具备更好的耐击穿性能㊂图5㊀GaN HEMT 中的栅极边缘终端(GET )结构示意图[50]Fig .5㊀Schematic diagram of gated edge termination structurein GaN HEMT [50]为了提升GET 结构的经时击穿可靠性,2017年Hu 等提出了采用体膜质量更佳的金属有机物化学气相沉积(MOCVD )Si 3N 4代替PE -ALD Si 3N 4作为GET 结构中的介质层[24]㊂他们在实验中对比了分别采用25nm MOCVD Si 3N 4和25nm PE -ALD Si 3N 4作为介质层的GET 结构的经时击穿结果,发现采用MOCVD -Si 3N 4介质层可以将器件的t BD 提升十倍,并且将击穿电压从15V 提升至25V ㊂2018年,Acurio 等提出了双层GET 结构来改善SBD 的经时击穿[51]㊂与传统的GET 结构相比,双层GET 结构通过添加第二个GET 层,在AlGaN 势垒内形成了一个新的电场尖峰,这不仅减轻了第一个GET 结构拐角处的电场,而且使电场的分布更加均匀㊂实验结果显示,相比传统的GET 结构,双层GET 结构有效延长了SBD 的击穿时间㊂这种双层GET 结构也可以引入到GaN HEMT 中,改善器件栅极边缘以及AlGaN 层的电场分布,降低器件的泄漏电流,从而改善器件的经时击穿可靠性㊂4㊀结语GaN HEMT 具备高工作频率㊁高能量密度等优势,在高频㊁高功率器件等领域得到了广泛的应用,然而GaN HMET 器件的可靠性问题成为了限制GaN 器件发展的瓶颈㊂其中,经时击穿可靠性问题作为GaN 器件可靠性研究的关键一环,得到了越来越多的关注㊂本文介绍了GaN HEMT 在长时间栅应力下发生经时击穿的现象及其偏压依赖性㊂随后,总结了GaN HEMT 栅极介质层和AlGaN 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收稿日期:2007206210基金项目:国家重大基础研究(973)资助(51327020301)作者简介:岳远征(19812),男,西安电子科技大学博士研究生,E 2mail :yzhyue @.A l Ga N /Ga N H EM Ts 表面钝化抑制电流崩塌的机理研究岳远征,郝 跃,张进城,冯 倩(西安电子科技大学微电子学院,陕西西安 710071)摘要:通过实验测量对Al G aN/G aN H EM T 表面钝化抑制电流崩塌的机理进行了深入研究.Al G aN/G aN H EM T Si 3N 4钝化层使用PECVD 获得.文章综合考虑了钝化前后器件输出特性及泄漏电流的变化,钝化后直流电流崩塌明显减少,仍然存在小的崩塌是由于GaN 缓冲层中的陷阱对电子的捕获.传输线模型测量表明,钝化后电流的增加是由于钝化消除了表面态密度进而增加了沟道载流子密度.关键词:高电子迁移率晶体管;钝化;电流崩塌中图分类号:TN386 文献标识码:A 文章编号:100122400(2008)0120125204Mechanism study of the surface passivation effect on current collapsecharacteristics of Al G a N/G a N HEMTsYU E Yuan 2z heng ,H A O Yue ,Z H A N G J i n 2cheng ,F EN G Qi an(School of Microelectronic ,Xidian Univ.,Xi ′an 710071,China )Abstract : The effects of surface passivation on Al GaN/G aN high 2electron 2mobility transistors(H EM Ts )have been investigated.The surface passivation layer of Si 3N 4is deposited by plasmaenhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD ).The current 2voltage and gate 2drain diode characteristicsof Al G aN/G aN H EM Ts before and after passivation are analyzed.The current collapse under DC sweephas been significantly decreased after passivation and the existence of small dispersion of drain current isdue to traps in the G aN buffer.The drain current increases after passivation ,because surface passivationreduces the surface state density and so increases the sheet carrier density shown in Transmission LinearModel (TL M )measurement.K ey Words : high electron mobility transistors ;passivation ;current collap seThe Al GaN/GaN material system for high power applications has advantages of a larger band 2gap (314eV ),a larger critical breakdown electric field (3MV/cm ),larger conduction band discontinuity between GaN and Al GaN and strong polarization effect s t hat allow a large two 2dimensional elect ron gas (2DEG )concent ratio n (>1013cm -2)which is larger t han t hat of Al GaAs/GaAs to be confined.Based on t hese properties ,dramatic progress has been made in t he develop ment of Al GaN/GaN high 2elect ron 2mobility t ransistors (H EM Ts )as an ideal candidate for high power and high temperat ure applications at microwave f requencies.One of t he f requently reported p roblems is t hat t he RF power obtained from GaN 2based H EM Ts is much lower t han t hat expected f rom t he DC characteristics [1~3].Several mechanisms have been identified ,including t he presence of surface states between t he gate and drain of t he H EM T struct ure which deplete t he channel in t his region wit h time constant s long enough to disrupt t he modulation of t he channel charge during large signal operation and t he t rap states in t he GaN buffer layer [3].The main obstacle to t he develop ment of GaN 2based high power devices has been ,and co ntinues to be ,how to cont rol t he t rap densities in t he bulk and surface of t he material.Surface t rapping effect s is present in2008年2月第35卷 第1期 西安电子科技大学学报(自然科学版)J OU R NAL O F XI D IAN U N IV E R S I T Y Feb.2008Vol.35 No.1virt ually all devices ,and significantly impacte current collap se.Much attention has been focused on t he reduction of surface states using different passivation dielect rics [2~6].In t his paper ,t he mechanisms of Si 3N 4surface passivatio n on Al GaN/GaN H EM Ts are st udied.In addition ,unpassivated H EM Ts are also compared wit h passivatedones.Fig.1 Typical Al G aN/GaN H EM Tcross section.1 Materials grow th and device fabricationOur st ruct ure was grown by metal 2organic chemical vapordepo sitio n and consist s of a 40nm undoped AlN buffer layer ,a1μm undoped GaN layer ,and a 25nm n 2Al 013Ga 017N barrier layeron a 22in.sapp hire substrate.The room temperat ure Hall mobilityof 1096cm 2/(V ・s )and a sheet carrier concent ration of 1165×1013cm -2have been measured respectively.Figure 1shows arepresentative cro ss section of Al GaN/GaN H EM Ts.In t he devices discussed in t his paper ,t he source 2drain spacing is 5μm and gate lengt h is 2μm.Typical source 2gate and gate 2drainspacings are 1μm and 2μm ,respectively.The device p rocess follows standard H EM T processing technology.Mesa isolation is formed by Cl 22based ICP etch ,and follows Ti/Al/Ni/Au ohmic contact depo sition by elect ron 2beam evaporation and annealing at 850°C for 30s.The metal scheme of Pt/Au is utilized for gate metals.After all t he device processes ,t he passivation layer was deposited.A low 2temperat ure (300°C ),plasma 2enhanced chemical vapor depo sition p rocess using Si H 4and N H 3was used to deposit Si 3N 4wit h a t hickness of 2×10-7m and a ref raction index of 1197which were measured by an ellip someter.The Si 3N 4layer above t he pads was etched wit h t he BO E solution.DC measurement s were performed on t he fabricated devices using a H P4156Bunit.Fig.2 I ds vs.V ds double sweep f rom 021020V for H EM Ts before and after Si 3N 4,passivation.2 Experimental results and discussionFigure 2shows typical outp ut characteristics of t he doublesweep for Al GaN/GaN H EM Ts before and after Si 3N 4passivation.V g is fixed at 0V ,and V ds sweep s f rom 0to 10V ,and t hen t he sweepis repeated wit hout pause.The decrease in drain current betweenfirst sweep and second sweep was pronounced before passivation.The degradation in drain current was less significant when t he samest ruct ures were grown on SiC subst rates [7].Clo ser lattice matchbetween GaN and SiC was discovered t han t hat wit h sapp hire.So t hedefect density will be lower between GaN and SiC.This seems to affect t he resultant surface state density.It is suggested t hat some of t he surface trap s be related to dismatch between GaN and sapp hire.Shown in Figure 2is an evident improvement of current after t he passivation.On t he ot her hand ,t he DC dispersion is still present in t he device after t he surface passivation.The reason is t he p resence of trap s in t he GaN buffer layer under t he active channel.Some electrons of t he 2DEG can be depleted due to t he surface states or buffer t rap s.The former may be mitigated to a greater or less extent by app rop riate surface passivation ,which most often uses Si 3N 4depo sited by plasma 2enhanced chemical vapor deposition ,while t he latter is a f unction of t he epitaxial621 西安电子科技大学学报(自然科学版) 第35卷growt h conditions.In t his paper ,surface states dominate t he current collap se ,because t he use of Si 3N 4passivation typically restores 70%~80%of t he lo st current.The increased drain current directly influences t he outp ut power.The device outp ut power (P out )is calculated wit h (V ds 2V knee )(I d /2),where V ds is t he applied drain source bias ,V knee is t he drain source bias where t he linear regime changes to sat uration regime ,and I d is t he drain current.A higher P out is observed in Si 3N 4passivated H EM Ts.Figure 3shows t he I ds 2V ds characteristics before and after Si 3N 4passivation.The I ds increases after Si 3N 4passivatio n ,which indicates t hat t he surface state density is decreased.After passivation t he t hreshold voltage is shifted to negative values ,which is due to t he increase of 2DEG density.This increase of t he sheet carrier concent ration in 2DEG due to t he change of t he surface states after passivation is t he main reason for t he increased drain current.At p resent ,t he reason for t his increase is due to a reduction in surface depletion effect s or an additional charge cont ributio n f rom t he deposited nit ride layer.It is found in Figure 3t hat an increase in I d and g m has been observed on t he passivated Si 3N 4H EM Ts compared wit h t he unpassivated H EM Ts when V gs is below 0V.The observation of t he current reduction when V gs is above 0V f rom Si 3N 4passivated H EM Ts is due to t he formation of deep t rap s in t he Si 3N 4/Al GaN interface along wit h t he elimination of shallow t rap s t hrough t he PECVD depo sition [8].The kink or current collap se when V gs is above 0V is obvious on t he passivated H EM Ts.Similar behaviors were observed on Si 3N 4passivated Al GaN/GaN H EM Ts by Ando et al [9].Fig.3 I ds vs.V ds for H EM Tsbefore and after Si 3N 4passivation.Fig.4 G ate 2drain diode characteristics for H EM Ts before and after Si 3N 4passivation. The effect of passivation o n t he gate 2to 2drain diode I 2V characteristics is shown in Figure 4.The gate current measured at a voltage of -40V decreased f rom 140μA to 25μA after passivation.An about one order of magnit ude lower I g was observed on Si 3N 4passivated H EM Ts.This improvement in I g 2leak isdue Fig.5 Relation of TL M resistance and length.to t he depletion layer formed ,resulting in t he reduction of t heelectric field strengt h at t he gate edge toward t he drain.Thereduction of t he elect ric field at t he gate edge result s in lowerelectrons injectio n in surface states t rap s.S.Arulkumaran [8]reportedt hat an about o ne order of magnit ude lower I g 2leak was observed onSi 3N 4passivated H EM Ts ,as compared wit h t he unpassivatedH EM Ts.This is similar to our experimental result shown in Figure4. B.L uo [7]reported t he different result t hat t he increase in gateleakage is not f ro m t he passivation it self ,but may originate f romdegradatio n of t he gate metallization during t he oxide desorption stepat 350°C.Figure 5shows t he curve of t he relation between TL M resistance and lengt h.We can see t hat t he TL M resistance declines obviously.This result can be explained by a reduction in surface depletion effect s 721第1期 岳远征等:Al GaN/G aN H EM Ts 表面钝化抑制电流崩塌的机理研究821 西安电子科技大学学报(自然科学版) 第35卷or an additional charge contribution from t he deposited nit ride layer after passivation.3 ConclusionWe have demonst rated t he surface passivation effect s on t he performance of Al GaN/GaN H EM Ts by depo siting Si3N4wit h PECVD.An increase in drain current has been observed on t he passivated Si3N4 H EM Ts compared wit h t he unpassivated H EM Ts.An about one order of magnit ude lower I g2leak is observed on Si3N4passivated H EM Ts.This indicates an important improvement of device p roperties despite of t he fact t hat t he DC dispersion is still present after t he passivatio n process which is due to t he p resence of t rapping centers in t he resistive buffer underlying t he active channel.Reference:[1]Vetury R,Zhang N Q,Keller S.The Impact of Surface States on the DC and RF Characteristics of Al G aN/GaN HFETs[J].IEEE Trans on Electron Devices,2001,48(3):5602566.[2]Arulkumaran S,Egawa T,Ishikawa H.Investigations of SiO2/n2G aN and Si3N4/n2G aN Insulator2semiconductorInterfaces with Low Interface State Density[J].Appl Phys Lett,1998,73(6):8092812.[3]Green B M,Chu K K,Chumbes E M.The Effect of Surface Passivation on the Microwave Characteristics of UndopedAl GaN/G aN H EM Ts[J].IEEE Electron Device Lett,2000,21(3):2682271.[4]L u W,Kumar V.A Comparative Study of Surface Passivation on Al G aN/GaN H EM Ts[J].Solid State Electronics,2002,46(6):144121445.[5]Vertiachikh A V,Eastman L F.Effect of Surface Passivation of Al G aN/GaN Heterostructure Field2effect Transistor[J].Electron Lett,2002,38(5):3882391.[6]Dang X Z,Yu E T,Piner E J.Influence of Surface Processing and Passivation on Carrier Concentrations and TransportProperties in Al GaN/G aN Heterostructures[J].J Appl Phys,2001,90(9):135721362.[7]L uo B,Mehandru R,Kim J,et parison of Surface Passivation Films for Reduction of Current Collapse in Al G aN/G aN High Electron Mobility Transistors[J].Journal of The Electrochemical Society,2002,149(11):6132619.[8]Arulkumaran S,Egawa T,Ishikawa H.Surface Passivation Effects on Al G aN/G aN High2electron2mobility Transistorswith SiO2,Si3N4,and Silicon Oxynitride[J].Appl Phys Lett,2004,84(4):6132615.[9]Ando Y,Okamoto Y,Miyamoto H.A1102W Heterojunction Fet on Thinned Sapphire Substrate[J].IEDM Tech Dig,2001,17(3):3812384.(编辑:齐淑娟) 简 讯 2007年11月8日~9日,法国Thales公司的Francois Le Chevalier先生来我校讲学访问.Chevalier先生是IEEE的高级会员,曾在法国宇航局ON EAR领导研究雷达目标识别、目标和背景信号、雷达建模和雷达信号处理.1998年起从事机载雷达、电子战、机载任务系统的高级研发等工作.摘自《西电情况》2007.12.10。