M. Hamilton

High-speed, low-noise metal–semiconductor–metal ultraviolet photodetectors based on GaN

We present the fabrication and characterization of nonintentionally doped GaN and GaN:Mg Schottky metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) photodetectors, grown on sapphire by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Low-leakage, Schottky contacts were made with Pt/Au. The devices are visible blind, with an ultraviolet/green contrast of about five orders of magnitude. The response times of the MSM devices were <10 ns and about 200 ns for GaN and GaN:Mg, respectively. The noise power spectral density remains below the background level of the system (10−24 A2/Hz) up to 5 V, for the undoped GaN MSM detector.

HIGH-QUALITY VISIBLE-BLIND ALGAN P-I-N PHOTODIODES

We report the fabrication and characterization of AlxGa1−xN p-i-n photodiodes (0⩽x⩽0.15) grown on sapphire by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The devices present a visible rejection of six orders of magnitude with a cutoff wavelength that shifts from 365 to 338 nm. Photocurrent decays are exponential for high load resistances, with a time constant that corresponds to the RC product of the system. For low load resistances, the transient response becomes non-exponential, with a decay time longer than the RC constant. This behavior is justified by the strong frequency dependence of the device capacitance. By an admittance analysis, we conclude that speed is not limited by deep levels, but by substitutional Mg capture and emission time.

Visible blind GaN p-i-n photodiodes

We present the growth and characterization of GaN p-i-n photodiodes with a very high degree of visible blindness. The thin films were grown by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The room-temperature spectral response shows a high responsivity of 0.15 A/W up until 365 nm, above which the response decreases by six orders of magnitude. Current/voltage measurements supply us with a zero bias resistance of 1011 Ω. Lastly, the temporal response shows a rise and fall time of 2.5 μs measured at zero bias. This response time is limited by the measurement circuit.

Lateral epitaxial overgrowth of GaN films on sapphire and silicon substrates

We report the lateral epitaxial overgrowth of GaN films on (00.1) Al2O3 and (111) Si substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The lateral epitaxial overgrowth on Si substrates was possible after achieving quasimonocrystalline GaN template films on (111) Si substrates. X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were used to assess the quality of the lateral epitaxial overgrown films. Lateral growth rates more than five times as high as vertical growth rates were achieved for both lateral epitaxial overgrowths of GaN on sapphire and silicon substrates.

Schottky MSM photodetectors on GaN films grown on sapphire by lateral epitaxial overgrowth

We report the growth and characterization of Schottky based metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetectors fabricated on lateral epitaxially overgrown GaN films. The lateral epitaxial overgrowth of GaN was carried out on basal plane sapphire substrates by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and exhibited lateral growth rates more than 5 times as high as vertical growth rates. The spectral responsivity, the dependence on bias voltage, on incident optical power, and the time response of these photodetectors have been characterized. Two detector orientations were investigated: one with the interdigitated finger pattern parallel and the other perpendicular to the underlying SiOx mask stripes.

High-quality LEO growth and characterization of GaN films on Al2O3 and Si substrates

We report the lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) of GaN films on (00.1) Al2O3 and (111) Si substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The LEO on Si substrates was possible after achieving quasi monocrystalline GaN template films on (111) Si substrates. X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to assess the quality of the LEO films. Lateral growth rates more than 5 times as high as vertical growth rates were achieved for both LEO growths of GaN on sapphire and silicon substrates.