Device fabrication and DC characteristics of AlGaAs/GaAs high electron mobility transistors
Abstract
We report the successful fabrication of functional AlGaAs/GaAs high electron mobility transistors using standard photolithography techniques. The fabrication process involved three lithography steps: (a) ohmic contact formation, (b) etch trench and (c) gate formation. AuGe/Ni/Au was utilized for the source and drain ohmic contacts and Al for the Schottky gate contact. Thermal annealing of AuGe/Ni/Au to form ohmic contacts was first optimized to obtain the lowest contact resistance prior to actual HEMT fabrication. Transmission line measurement was used to determine contact resistance. The lowest ρc value of 8.06 x 10−5 Ωcm2 was obtained at an annealing temperature of 480°C. Finally, the DC characteristics of the device at room temperature were investigated. A transconductance of 300 μS and IDSS of 554 μA were measured for the device.