Reverse bias leakage current mechanism of AlGaN/InGaN/GaN heterostructure

Abstract

The reverse bias leakage current mechanism of AlGaN/InGaN/GaN heterostructure is investigated by current-voltage measurement in temperature range from 298 K to 423 K. The Higher electric field across the AlGaN barrier layer of AlGaN/InGaN/GaN double heterostructure due to higher polarization charge is found to be responsible for strong Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunnelling in the electric field higher than 3.66 MV/cm. For electric field less than 3.56 MV/cm, the reverse bias leakage current is also found to follow the trap assisted Frenkel-Poole (FP) emission in low negative bias region. Analysis of reverse FP emission yielded the barrier height of trap energy level of 0.34 eV with respect to Fermi level.