Efficient Acceptor Activation in Al_xGa_1−xN/GaN Doped Superlattices

Abstract

Mg-doped superlattices consisting of uniformly doped Al x Ga 1−x N and GaN layers are analyzed by Hall-effect measurements. Acceptor activation energies of 70 meV and 58 meV are obtained for superlattice structures with an Al mole fraction of x = 0.10 and 0.20 in the barrier layers, respectively. These energies are significantly lower than the activation energy measured for Mg-doped GaN thin films. At room temperature, the doped superlattices have free hole concentrations of 2 × 10 18 cm −3 and 4 × 10 18 cm −3 for x = 0.10 and 0.20, respectively. The increase in hole concentration with Al content of the superlattice is consistent with theory. The room temperature conductivity measured for the superlattice structures are 0.27 S/cm and 0.64 S/cm for an Al mole fraction of x = 0.10 and 0.20, respectively.