Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.468, 552-556, 2017
Effect of V/III ratio on the surface morphology and electrical properties of m-plane (10(1)over-bar0) GaN homoepitaxial layers
We have investigated the effect of V/III ratio on the surface morphology, impurity concentration and electrical properties of m-plane (10 (1) over bar0) Gallium Nitride (GaN) homoepitaxial layers. Four-sided pyramidal hillocks are observed on the nominally on-axis m-plane GaN films. Hillocks sizes relatively increase by increasing the V/III ratio. All facets of pyramidal hillocks exhibit well-defined step-terrace features. Secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiles reveal that carbon impurities decrease by increasing the V/III ratio while the lowest oxygen content is found at an optimized V/III ratio of 900. Vertical Schottky barrier diodes fabricated on the m-GaN samples were characterized. Low leakage current densities of the order of 10(-10) A/cm(2) at -5 V are obtained at the optimum V/III ratio. Oxygen impurities and screw-component dislocations around hillocks are found to have more detrimental impact on the leakage current mechanism.
Keywords:Morphology;Impurities;Organometallic vapor phase epitaxy;m-plane Gallium Nitride;Vertical Schottky barrier diodes