GaN-based threshold switching device and memory diode

1. A switching device comprising:

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.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a n + -GaN layer on the unintentionally doped GaN layer.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the regrown unintentionally doped GaN layer is in direct contact with the n + -GaN layer and the unintentionally doped GaN layer.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein a portion of the p-GaN layer is formed over the n + -GaN layer.

5. The device of claim 2 , further comprising a third electrode on the n + -GaN layer.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the first electrode and the third electrode form a lateral p-n junction.

7. The device of claim 2 , wherein the first electrode and the third electrode form a vertical p-n junction.

8. The device of claim 2 , wherein the regrowth interface comprises silicon atoms.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is configured to possess, during operation, a low resistive state facilitated by an electrically conducting path formed by the silicon atoms when a forward bias voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to possess, during operation, a high resistive state facilitated by an insulating layer formed at the regrowth interface after a soft breakdown.