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Application of Ti-Al-N MAX-phase for contacts to GaN

Michał A. Borysiewicz 1Eliana Kamińska 1Anna Piotrowska 1Iwona Pasternak 1Elzbieta Dynowska 2Rafał Jakieła 2

1. Institute of Electron Technology (ITE), al. Lotników 32/46, Warszawa 02-668, Poland
2. Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, al. Lotników 32/46, Warszawa 02-668, Poland

Abstract

We report the results of studies on MAX phases [1,2] in the context of possible applications as thermally stable contact metallizations to GaN. The outstanding properties of these phases, such as good thermal and electrical conductivity, oxidation resistance, damage tolerance and thermal stability even at temperatures as high as 1000oC [2,3] as well as their hexagonal structure, make these materials promising for such applications.

 

The properties mentioned above are a result of the nanolaminate hexagonal structure of these compounds [1,2], which consist of: a transition metal (M), an element from group IIIA or IVA (A) and carbon or nitrogen (X). Monocrystalline MAX phase is made of MX monolayers intertwined with monoatomic A layers.

 

Taking into account the fact, that Ti/Al bilayer yields low resistivity ohmic contacts to n‑GaN [4], our approach was to make contacts out of a Ti-Al-N MAX phase, which would improve the thermal stability of the contact system.

 

The conducted experiments involved: (1) depositing Ti/Al/TiN multilayers on n‑GaN substrate with subsequent heat treatment in an N2 or Ar flow in 600oC; (2) depositing Ti/Al multilayers on n‑GaN substrate followed by heat treatment in a N2 flow in 600oC. The resistivity of the metallization films was measured with a four-point probe and the ohmic contact characteristics were inferred from circular transmission line method. The samples’ microstructure was characterised with High Resolution X-Ray Diffractometry and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry depth profiling.

 

This study was partially supported by the EC under the project “Materials for Robust Gallium Nitride” CP-IP 214610-2 MORGaN.

 

References:

1.    H. Nowotny, Prog. Solid State Chem. 2, 27 (1970).

2.    M.W. Barsoum, Prog. Solid St. Chem. 28, 201 (2000).

3.    J. Emmerlich et al., Acta Materialia, 55, 1479 (2007).

4.    M.E. Lin et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 1003 (1994).

 

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Related papers

Presentation: Oral at E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008, Symposium I, by Michał A. Borysiewicz
See On-line Journal of E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008

Submitted: 2008-05-19 18:33
Revised:   2009-06-07 00:48