Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier Layer

To enhance the DC and RF performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, a novel device structure was proposed and investigated through simulation. The key innovation of this new structure lies in the incorporation of an Al<sub>0.7</sub>In<sub>0.15</sub>Ga<sub>0.15</sub>N back-ba...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shuxiang Sun, Lulu Liu, Gangchuan Qu, Xintong Xie, J. Ajayan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Micromachines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/779
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849246609685086208
author Shuxiang Sun
Lulu Liu
Gangchuan Qu
Xintong Xie
J. Ajayan
author_facet Shuxiang Sun
Lulu Liu
Gangchuan Qu
Xintong Xie
J. Ajayan
author_sort Shuxiang Sun
collection DOAJ
description To enhance the DC and RF performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, a novel device structure was proposed and investigated through simulation. The key innovation of this new structure lies in the incorporation of an Al<sub>0.7</sub>In<sub>0.15</sub>Ga<sub>0.15</sub>N back-barrier layer and an N-type locally doped AlGaN barrier layer (BD-HEMT), based on conventional device architecture. The Al<sub>0.7</sub>In<sub>0.15</sub>Ga<sub>0.15</sub>N back-barrier layer effectively confines electrons within the channel, thereby increasing the electron concentration. Simultaneously, the N-type locally doped AlGaN barrier layer introduced beneath the gate supplies additional electrons to the channel, further enhancing the electron density. These modifications collectively lead to improved DC and RF characteristics of the device. Compared to the conventional AlGaN/GaN HEMT, BD-HEMT achieves a 24.8% increase in saturation drain current and a 10.4% improvement in maximum transconductance. Furthermore, the maximum cutoff frequency and maximum oscillation frequency are enhanced by 14.8% and 21.2%, respectively.
format Article
id doaj-art-1e02ee8a80854458acfdaec6372d26b6
institution Kabale University
issn 2072-666X
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Micromachines
spelling doaj-art-1e02ee8a80854458acfdaec6372d26b62025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-06-0116777910.3390/mi16070779Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier LayerShuxiang Sun0Lulu Liu1Gangchuan Qu2Xintong Xie3J. Ajayan4Zhumadian Key Laboratory of Novel Semiconductor Devices and Reliability, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian 463000, ChinaZhumadian Key Laboratory of Novel Semiconductor Devices and Reliability, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian 463000, ChinaZhumadian Key Laboratory of Novel Semiconductor Devices and Reliability, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian 463000, ChinaSchool of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, ChinaDepartment of Electronics and Communication Engineering, SR University, Warangal 506371, IndiaTo enhance the DC and RF performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, a novel device structure was proposed and investigated through simulation. The key innovation of this new structure lies in the incorporation of an Al<sub>0.7</sub>In<sub>0.15</sub>Ga<sub>0.15</sub>N back-barrier layer and an N-type locally doped AlGaN barrier layer (BD-HEMT), based on conventional device architecture. The Al<sub>0.7</sub>In<sub>0.15</sub>Ga<sub>0.15</sub>N back-barrier layer effectively confines electrons within the channel, thereby increasing the electron concentration. Simultaneously, the N-type locally doped AlGaN barrier layer introduced beneath the gate supplies additional electrons to the channel, further enhancing the electron density. These modifications collectively lead to improved DC and RF characteristics of the device. Compared to the conventional AlGaN/GaN HEMT, BD-HEMT achieves a 24.8% increase in saturation drain current and a 10.4% improvement in maximum transconductance. Furthermore, the maximum cutoff frequency and maximum oscillation frequency are enhanced by 14.8% and 21.2%, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/779GaN HEMTDC and RF characteristicsback-barrier layerlocally doped barrier layer
spellingShingle Shuxiang Sun
Lulu Liu
Gangchuan Qu
Xintong Xie
J. Ajayan
Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier Layer
Micromachines
GaN HEMT
DC and RF characteristics
back-barrier layer
locally doped barrier layer
title Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier Layer
title_full Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier Layer
title_fullStr Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier Layer
title_full_unstemmed Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier Layer
title_short Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN HEMT Using a Back-Barrier and Locally Doped Barrier Layer
title_sort improved dc and rf characteristics of gan hemt using a back barrier and locally doped barrier layer
topic GaN HEMT
DC and RF characteristics
back-barrier layer
locally doped barrier layer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/779
work_keys_str_mv AT shuxiangsun improveddcandrfcharacteristicsofganhemtusingabackbarrierandlocallydopedbarrierlayer
AT lululiu improveddcandrfcharacteristicsofganhemtusingabackbarrierandlocallydopedbarrierlayer
AT gangchuanqu improveddcandrfcharacteristicsofganhemtusingabackbarrierandlocallydopedbarrierlayer
AT xintongxie improveddcandrfcharacteristicsofganhemtusingabackbarrierandlocallydopedbarrierlayer
AT jajayan improveddcandrfcharacteristicsofganhemtusingabackbarrierandlocallydopedbarrierlayer