IP Library Granted Patent US 11,527,573
Granted Patent B2
US 11,527,573 · App. 17/215,282 · Granted Dec 13, 2022

GaN-based threshold switching device and memory diode

Inventors: Kai Fu (Tempe, AZ); Houqiang Fu (Tempe, AZ); Yuji Zhao (Chandler, AZ)
Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
H01L27/2427G11C13/0002H01L29/2003H01L29/66204H01L29/861H01L45/12H01L45/1608
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,527,573
App. No.
17/215,282
Granted
Dec 13, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A switching device including a GaN substrate; an unintentionally doped GaN layer on a first surface of the GaN substrate; a regrown unintentionally doped GaN layer on the unintentionally doped GaN layer; a regrowth interface between the unintentionally doped GaN layer and the regrown unintentionally doped GaN layer; a p-GaN layer on the regrown unintentionally doped GaN layer; a first electrode on the p-GaN layer; and a second electrode on a second surface of the GaN substrate.

Claims (25)

1. A method for fabricating a switching device, the method comprising:

depositing a first unintentionally doped GaN layer on a first surface of a GaN substrate;

depositing a n + -GaN layer on the first unintentionally doped GaN layer;

etching away a portion of the n + -GaN layer and a portion of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer to yield a first etched surface and a second etched surface on the first unintentionally doped GaN layer;

regrowing a second unintentionally doped GaN layer on the first etched surface and the second etched surface of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer;

regrowing a p-GaN layer on the second unintentionally doped GaN layer;

etching away a portion of the p-GaN layer and the second unintentionally doped GaN layer to yield an etched surface on the n + -GaN layer;

forming a first electrode on the etched surface of the n + -GaN layer;

forming a second electrode on the p-GaN layer; and

forming a third electrode on a second surface of the GaN substrate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a lateral p-n junction is defined between the first electrode and the second electrode.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a vertical p-n junction is defined between the second electrode and the third electrode.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein etching away the portion of the n + -GaN layer and the portion of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer comprises forming a mesa pattern.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein regrowing the second unintentionally doped GaN layer further comprises regrowing the second unintentionally doped GaN layer on a first etched surface and a second etched surface of the n + -GaN layer.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first etched surface of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer and the first etched surface of the n + -GaN layer are substantially parallel.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second etched surface of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer and the second etched surface of the n + -GaN layer form a path between the first etched surface of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer and the first etched surface of the n + -GaN layer.

8. A method for fabricating a switching device, the method comprising:

depositing a first unintentionally doped GaN layer on a first surface of a GaN substrate;

etching away a portion of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer to yield an etched surface on the first unintentionally doped GaN layer;

regrowing a second unintentionally doped GaN layer on the etched surface of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer;

regrowing a p-GaN layer on the second unintentionally doped GaN layer;

forming a first electrode on the p-GaN layer; and

forming a second electrode on a second surface of the GaN substrate.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein a vertical p-n junction is defined between the first electrode and the second electrode.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein etching away the portion of the first unintentionally doped GaN layer comprises forming a mesa pattern.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Oct 27, 2021
From: ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - TEMPE CAMPUS
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 057940/0653 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2021
From: FU, KAI; FU, HOUQIANG; ZHAO, YUJI
To: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 055755/0895 →
Continuity (3)
Division 16666978 · Oct 29, 2019
Provisional Application 62754258 · Nov 1, 2018
Related Publication 20210242281A1 · Aug 5, 2021