GaN based high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have demonstrated extraordinary features in the applications of high power and high frequency devices. In this paper, we review recent progress in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, including the following sections. First, challenges in device fabrication and optimizations will be discussed. Then, the latest progress in device fabrication technologies will be presented. Finally, some promising device structures from simulation studies will be discussed.

In this paper, a method to extend the detection range of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas sensor is demonstrated. The sensor is based on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with Pt gate. It is observed that the as-fabricated devices exhibited sensing signal saturation at 30 ppm H2S exposure in dry air. A pre-treatment using H2 pulses in dry air ambient at 250 ºC was applied to extend the detection range of the sensor. The H2 treated H2S gas sensor was able to detect a higher H2S concentration up to 90 ppm at 250 ºC without complete saturation.

The present work reports on the hydrogen gas detection properties of Pt-AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) sensors with recessed gate structure. Devices with gate recess depths from 5 to 15 nm were fabricated using a precision cyclic etching method, examined with AFM, STEM and EDS, and tested towards H 2 response at high temperature. With increasing recess depth, the threshold voltage (V TH ) shifted from −1.57 to 1.49 V. A shallow recess (5 nm) resulted in a 1.03 mA increase in signal variation ( I DS ), while a deep recess (15 nm) resulted in the highest sensing response (S) of 145.8% towards 300 ppm H 2 as compared to reference sensors without gate recess. Transient measurements demonstrated reversible H 2 response for all tested devices. The response and recovery time towards 250 ppm gradually decreased from 7.3 to 2.5 min and from 29.2 to 8.85 min going from 0 nm to 15 nm recess depth. The power consumption of the sensors reduced with increasing recess depth from 146.6 to 2.95 mW.