Improved current gain and fT through doping profile selection in linearly graded heterojunction bipolar transistors

Analytical and experimental results are used to show that extension of a thin p-doped layer of base doping into the graded-gap region, close to the base, of an n-p-n AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor and removing n-type dopant from the rest of the linearly graded AlGaAs region improves current gain β and unity gain cutoff frequency f_T. Current gain is significantly improved by reducing recombination near the metallurgical interface and using the effective electric field from the grading to accelerate electrons as they are injected into the p-base. The doping profile also inhibits the formation of a potential minimum in which electrons can be stored in close proximity to the base. This greatly improves f_T, and does not hamper the current injection or increase the turn-on voltage. Space-charge recombination current is also reduced, due to the carrier density reduction associated with the effective electric field due to the graded gap