In this work, I develop the physical framework and theoretical model of GaN power MEMS devices.
Outline
In this work, a semi-classical physical model of the MEMS device with a cantilever structure based on AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterojunction has been established by using piezoelectric theory. The mathematical relationship between the lattice strain and the piezoelectric polarization charge of the multilayer heterojunction film is deduced through the piezoelectric constitutive equation and biaxial stress model. Then the finite element analysis method of material mechanics is used to calculate the piezoelectric polarization charge intensity of the heterojunction film under different external stresses, and the one-dimensional Schrödinger-Poisson self-consistent coupling model was used to calculate the modulation characteristics of the external stress on the energy band of the AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterojunction and the electrical properties of the MEMS device.
Research Method
- Finite element analysis and finite difference method
- Mechanics of materials and biaxial stress model
- One-dimensional Schrödinger-Poisson self-consistent coupling model
- Piezoelectric constitutive equation and electromagnetism theory
- MATLAB programming and COMSOL Multiphysics finite element analysis
Conclusion
The developed theoretical model successfully reveals the working mechanism of GaN power MEMS devices.
Presentations
Full text
Reference
[1] Raffaele Resta. Macroscopic polarization in crystalline dielectrics: the geometric phase approach. Reviews of Modern Physics, 66(3):899, 1994.
[2] RD King-Smith, et.al. Theory of polarization of crystalline solids. Physical Review B, 47(3):1651, 1993.
[3] Debdeep Jena, et.al. Polarization-engineering in group III-nitride heterostructures: New opportunities for device design. Physica Status Solidi (a), 208(7):1511–1516, 2011.
[4] Ho Won Jang, et.al. Characterization of band bending on Ga-face and N-face GaN films grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Applied Physics Letters, 80(21):3955–3957, 2002.
[5] R Dimitrov, et.al. Two-dimensional electron gases in Ga-face and N-face AlGaN/GaN heterostructures grown by plasma-induced molecular beam epitaxy and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on sapphire. Journal of Applied Physics, 87(7):3375–3380, 2000.
[6] R Dimitrov, et.al. Comparison of N-face and Ga-face AlGaN/GaN-based high electron mobility transistors grown by plasma-induced molecular beam epitaxy. Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 38(9R):4962, 1999.
[7] Hadis Morkoc, et.al. Polarization in GaN-based heterostructures and heterojunction field effect transistors (HFETs). In Polarization Effects in Semiconductors: From Ab Initio Theory to Device Applications, pages 373–466. Springer, 2008.
[8] Ramakrishna Vetury. Polarization Induced 2DEG in Aluminum Gallium Nitride/Gallium Nitride HEMTs: On the Origin, DC and Transient Characterization. Ph.D. thesis, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2000.
[9] Alan R Denton, et.al. Vegard’s law. Physical Review A, 43(6):3161, 1991.
[10] I Vurgaftman, et.al. Band parameters for nitrogen-containing semiconductors. Journal of Applied Physics, 94(6):3675–3696, 2003.
[11] Fabio Bernardini, et.al. Spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric constants of III-V nitrides. Physical Review B, 56(16): R10024, 1997.
[12] Lorin E Stevens. Thermo-Piezo-Electro-Mechanical Simulation of AlGaN (Aluminum Gallium Nitride)/GaN (Gallium Nitride) High Electron Mobility Transistors. Utah State University, 2013.
[13] Joydeep Pal, et.al. Second-order piezoelectricity in wurtzite III-N semiconductors. Physical Review B, 84(8):085211, 2011.
[14] Hongbo Qin, et.al. Mechanical, thermodynamic and electronic properties of wurtzite and zinc-blende GaN crystals. Materials, 10(12):1419, 2017.
[15] Achraf Ben Amar, et.al. Young’s modulus extraction of epitaxial heterostructure AlGaN/GaN for MEMS application. Physica Status Solidi (a), 211(7):1655–1659, 2014.
[16] Roman Nowak, et.al. Elastic and plastic properties of GaN determined by nano-indentation of bulk crystal. Applied Physics Letters, 75(14):2070–2072, 1999.
[17] TR Lenka and AK Panda. Self-consistent subband calculations of AlxGa1-xN/(AlN)/GaN-based high electron mobility transistor. In Advanced Materials Research, volume 159, pages 342–347. Trans Tech Publ, 2011.
[18] Kyu-Seok Lee, et.al. Self-consistent subband calculations of AlGaN/GaN single heterojunctions. ETRI Journal, 24(4):270–279, 2002.
[19] OAmbacher, et.al. Two-dimensional electron gases induced by spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization charges in N- and Ga-face AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. Journal of Applied Physics, 85(6):3222–3233, 1999.