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Interface characterization was carried out on Al2O3/GaN structures using epitaxial n-GaN layers grown on free-standing GaN substrates with relatively low dislocation density (<3 x 10(6) cm(-2)). The Al2O3 layer was prepared by atomic layer deposition. The as-deposited metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) sample showed a significant frequency dispersion and a bump-like feature in capacitance-voltage (C-V) curves at reverse bias, showing high-density interface states in the range of 10(12) cm(-1) eV(-1). On the other hand, excellent C-V characteristics with negligible frequency dispersion were observed from the MOS sample after annealing under a reverse bias at 300 degrees C in air for 3 h. The reverse-bias-annealed sample showed state densities less than 1 x 10(11) cm(-1) eV(-1) and small shifts of flat-band voltage. In addition, the C-V curve measured at 200 degrees C remained essentially similar compared with the room-temperature C-V curves. These results indicate that the present process realizes a stable Al2O3/GaN interface with low interface state densities

In this paper, we give an overview of the recent progress in GaN-based high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) developed for mainstream acceptance in the power electronics field. The comprehensive investigation of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs fabricated on a free-standing semi-insulating GaN substrate reveals that an extracted effective lateral breakdown field of approximately 1 MV/cm is likely limited by the premature device breakdown originating from the insufficient structural and electrical quality of GaN buffer layers and/or the GaN substrate itself. The effective lateral breakdown field is increased to 2 MV/cm by using a highly resistive GaN substrate achieved by heavy Fe doping. Various issues relevant to current collapse are also discussed in the latter half of this paper, where a more pronounced reduction in current collapse is achieved by combining two different schemes (i.e., a prepassivation oxygen plasma treatment and a field plate structure) for intensifying the mitigating effect against current collapse. Finally, a novel approach to suppress current collapse is presented by introducing a three-dimensional field plate (3DFP) in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, and its possibility of realizing true collapse-free operation is described.

This paper presents a systematic characterization of electronic states at insulators/(Al)GaN interfaces, particularly focusing on insulator/AlGaN/ GaN structures. First, we review important results reported for GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures. SiO 2 is an attractive material for MIS transistor applications due to its large bandgap and high chemical stability. In-situ SiN x is effective for improving the operation stability of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). Meanwhile, Al 2 O 3 /GaN structures have high band offsets and low interface state densities, which are also desirable for insulated gate applications. We have proposed a calculation method for describing capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics of HEMT MIS structures for evaluating electronic state properties at the insulator/AlGaN interfaces. To evaluate near-midgap states at insulator/ AlGaN interfaces, a photo-assisted C-V technique using photon energies less than the bandgap of GaN has been developed. Using the calculation in conjunction with the photo-assisted C-V technique, we estimate interface state density distributions at the Al 2 O 3 /AlGaN interfaces.

University. His research interests included surface passivation and device processing technologies for III-V compound semiconductors. Currently, his major activity expanded into characterization and control of surfaces and interfaces of GaN and related materials and their application to GaN-based electron devices. He has authored or co-authored over 160 papers in scientific and technical journals.