Gallium Oxide Heterojunction Diodes for Improved High-Temperature Performance

Abstract

$\beta$-Ga${}_2$O${}_3$ based semiconductor devices are expected to have significantly improved high-power and high-temperature performance due to its ultra-wide bandgap of close to 5 eV. However, the high-temperature operation of these ultra-wide-bandgap devices is usually limited by the relatively low 1-2 eV built-in potential at the Schottky barrier with most high-work-function metals. Here, we report heterojunction p-NiO/n-$\beta$-Ga${}_2$O${}_3$ diodes fabrication and optimization for high-temperature device applications, demonstrating a current rectification ratio of more than 10${}^6$ at 410°C. The NiO heterojunction diode can achieve higher turn-on voltage and lower reverse leakage current compared to the Ni-based Schottky diode fabricated on the same single crystal $\beta$-Ga${}_2$O${}_3$ substrate, despite charge transport dominated by interfacial recombination. Electrical characterization and device modeling show that these advantages are due to a higher built-in potential and additional band offset. These results suggest that heterojunction p-n diodes based on $\beta$-Ga${}_2$O${}_3$ can significantly improve high-temperature electronic device and sensor performance.

15 pages, 8 figures