Enhanced-performance of AlGaN-GaN HEMTs grown on grooved sapphire substrates

We report significantly improved dc characteristics and RF performance of AlGaN-GaN HEMTs grown on grooved sapphire substrates. Grooves 60 nm deep with 2-μm-wide ridges and 4-μm-wide trenches were created along the <101~0> orientation of the substrate by inductively coupled-plasma reactive ion etching. Device mesas were defined over the trench regions where superior crystalline quality was observed by other characterization techniques. Compared to conventional HEMTs grown on the planar area, the devices on the grooved substrate show increased drain saturation current and peak transconductance. Their reverse gate leakage current is over three orders of magnitude lower. These devices also show increased off-state breakdown voltage with hard breakdown characteristics. For nominal 1-μm-gate-length HEMTs, the best current gain and power gain cutoff frequencies were 15 and 54 GHz, respectively. The on-wafer output power, gain, and power-added efficiency of an unpassivated device measured at 4 GHz were 3.26 W/mm, 25.7 dB, and 55.6%. The enhanced performance is attributed to low-density mixed dislocations and high crystalline quality over the trench regions.