Demonstration of AlN-based Vertical p-n Diodes with Dopant-Free Distributed-Polarization Doping

Nearly ideal AlN-based vertical p-n diodes are demonstrated on an AIN substrate utilizing dopant-free distributed-polarization doping (DPD). Capacitance-voltage measurements revealed that the effective doping concentration agreed well with the designed DPD charge concentration. The fabricated devices exhibited a low tum-on voltage of 6.5 V, a low differential specific ON-resistance of 3 mΩ cm
²
, and an ideality factor of 2 for a wide range of temperatures (room temperature-573 K). Moreover, the breakdown electric field was 7.3 MV/cm, which was almost twice as high as the reported critical electric field of 4H-SÌC and GaN. These results clearly demonstrate the usefulness of DPD in the fabrication of high-performance AlN-based power devices.