Emerging wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors hold the potential to advance the global industry in the same way that, more than 50 years ago, the invention of the silicon (Si) chip enabled the modern computer era. SiC- and GaN-based devices are starting to become more commercially available. Smaller, faster, and more efficient than their counterpart Si-based components, these WBG devices also offer greater expected reliability in tougher operating conditions. Furthermore, in this frame, a new class of microelectronic-grade semiconducting materials that have an even larger bandgap than the previously established wide bandgap semiconductors, such as GaN and SiC, have been created, and are thus referred to as “ultra-wide bandgap” materials. These materials, which include AlGaN, AlN, diamond, Ga2O3, and BN, offer theoretically superior properties, including a higher critical breakdown field, higher temperature operation, and potentially higher radiation tolerance. These attributes, in turn, make it possible to use revolutionary new devices for extreme environments, such as high-efficiency power transistors, because of the improved Baliga figure of merit, ultra-high voltage pulsed power switches, high-efficiency UV-LEDs, and electronics. This Special Issue aims to collect high quality research papers, short communications, and review articles that focus on wide bandgap device design, fabrication, and advanced characterization. The Special Issue will also publish selected papers from the 43rd Workshop on Compound Semiconductor Devices and Integrated Circuits, held in France (WOCSDICE 2019), which brings together scientists and engineers working in the area of III–V, and other compound semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. In particular, the following topics are addressed: – GaN- and SiC-based devices for power and optoelectronic applications – Ga2O3 substrate development, and Ga2O3 thin film growth, doping, and devices – AlN-based emerging material and devices – BN epitaxial growth, characterization, and devices
This book covers the full spectrum of activity in the GaN and related materials arena. These semiconductors are finding applications in full-color displays, high-density information storage, white lighting for outdoor or backlit displays, solar-blind UV detectors, high-power/high-temperature electronics, and covert undersea communications. Progress is been reported in the growth of thick layers on patterned substrates by various methods, leading to lower overall defect concentrations and improved current-voltage and reliability characteristics. The rapidly increasing market for blue/green LEDs is also noted by the entry of a number of new companies to the field. While these emitter technologies continue to be dominated by MOCVD material, there are exciting reports of UV detectors and HFET structures grown by MBE with device performance at least as good as by MOCVD. Topics include: GaN electronic and photonic devices; laser diodes and spectroscopy; electronic devices and processing; quantum dots and processing; novel growth, doping and processing and rare-earth doping and optical emission.