Abstract: Derivative cancellation techniques have been used to linearize transistors using multiple discreet devices. However at frequencies approaching and in the mm-wave regime the use of individual devices no longer works due to the parasitics associated with combining the devices. In this invention device structures are described which apply the derivative cancellation technique in a single device thus removing the detrimental impact of combining. In one example, an N-polar transistor structure includes a channel; a cap structure comprising a plurality of cap layers on or above the channel; a source contact and a drain contact to the channel; and a castellated, stepped, or varying pattern formed in the cap layers so that gate metal deposited on the pattern forms at least two different threshold voltages and current combines in the ohmic region with essentially zero parasitic inductance.

Abstract: N-polar HEMT structures and methods of forming HEMT structures. An example semiconductor device includes a III-N material structure, comprising: a III-N backbarrier layer; a III-N channel layer over an N-face of the III-N backbarrier layer; and an n+ III-N etch stop layer over an N-face of the III-N channel layer. The semiconductor device includes: a gate region between a source region and a drain region; a source contact over the n+ III-Netch stop layer in the source region; a drain contact over the n+ III-N etch stop layer in the drain region; a 2DEG in the III-N channel layer adjacent to an interface between the III-N channel layer and the III-N backbarrier layer; a channel recess etched through the n+ III-N etch stop layer between the source region and the drain region; and a gate recess in the channel layer and a gate contact in the gate recess.

Abstract: In order to reduce costs as well as to effectively dissipate heat in certain RF circuits, a semiconductor device of the circuit can include one or more active devices such as transistors, diodes, and/or varactors formed of a first semiconductor material system integrated onto (e.g., bonded to) a base substrate formed of a second semiconductor material system that includes other circuit components. The first semiconductor material system can, for example, be the III-V or III-N semiconductor system, and the second semiconductor material system can, for example be silicon.

Abstract: A wireless front-end can include a plurality of circuits, including a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), and an RF switch. In order to decrease the size and improve the performance of the front-end, the various circuits of the front end can include N-polar III-N transistors that are all formed from the same epitaxial material structure and monolithically integrated onto a single chip. Due to the different performance requirements of the various transistors in the different circuits, parameters such as gate length, gate-to-channel separation, and surface-to-channel separation in the access regions of the devices can be varied to meet the desired performance requirements.

Abstract: An N-polar III-N high-electron mobility transistor device can include a III-N channel layer over an N-face of a III-N backbarrier, wherein a compositional difference between the channel layer and the backbarrier causes a 2DEG channel to be induced in the III-N channel layer adjacent to the interface between the III-N channel layer and the backbarrier. The device can further include a p-type III-N layer over the III-N channel layer and a thick III-N cap layer over the p-type III-N layer. The III-N cap layer can cause an increase in the charge density of the 2DEG channel directly below the cap layer, and the p-type III-N layer can serve to prevent a parasitic 2DEG from forming in the III-N cap layer.

Abstract: In order to reduce costs as well as to effectively dissipate heat in certain RF circuits, a semiconductor device of the circuit can include one or more active devices such as transistors, diodes, and/or varactors formed of a first semiconductor material system integrated onto (e.g., bonded to) a base substrate formed of a second semiconductor material system that includes other circuit components. The first semiconductor material system can, for example, be the III-V or III-N semiconductor system, and the second semiconductor material system can, for example be silicon.

Abstract: A wireless front-end can include a plurality of circuits, including a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), and an RF switch. In order to decrease the size and improve the performance of the front-end, the various circuits of the front end can include N-polar III-N transistors that are all formed from the same epitaxial material structure and monolithically integrated onto a single chip. Due to the different performance requirements of the various transistors in the different circuits, parameters such as gate length, gate-to-channel separation, and surface-to-channel separation in the access regions of the devices can be varied to meet the desired performance requirements.

Abstract: A wireless front-end can include a plurality of circuits, including a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), and an RF switch. In order to decrease the size and improve the performance of the front-end, the various circuits of the front end can include N-polar III-N transistors that are all formed from the same epitaxial material structure and monolithically integrated onto a single chip. Due to the different performance requirements of the various transistors in the different circuits, parameters such as gate length, gate-to-channel separation, and surface-to-channel separation in the access regions of the devices can be varied to meet the desired performance requirements.

Abstract: An N-polar III-N high-electron mobility transistor device can include a III-N channel layer over an N-face of a III-N backbarrier, wherein a compositional difference between the channel layer and the backbarrier causes a 2DEG channel to be induced in the III-N channel layer adjacent to the interface between the III-N channel layer and the backbarrier. The device can further include a p-type III-N layer over the III-N channel layer and a thick III-N cap layer over the p-type III-N layer. The III-N cap layer can cause an increase in the charge density of the 2DEG channel directly below the cap layer, and the p-type III-N layer can serve to prevent a parasitic 2DEG from forming in the III-N cap layer.

Abstract: In order to reduce costs as well as to effectively dissipate heat in certain RF circuits, a semiconductor device of the circuit can include one or more active devices such as transistors, diodes, and/or varactors formed of a first semiconductor material system integrated onto (e.g., bonded to) a base substrate formed of a second semiconductor material system that includes other circuit components. The first semiconductor material system can, for example, be the III-V or III-N semiconductor system, and the second semiconductor material system can, for example be silicon.

Abstract: Described herein are III-N (e.g. GaN) devices having a stepped cap layer over the channel of the device, for which the III-N material is orientated in an N-polar orientation.

Abstract: In order to reduce costs as well as to effectively dissipate heat in certain RF circuits, a semiconductor device of the circuit can include one or more active devices such as transistors, diodes, and/or varactors formed of a first semiconductor material system integrated onto (e.g., bonded to) a base substrate formed of a second semiconductor material system that includes other circuit components. The first semiconductor material system can, for example, be the III-V or III-N semiconductor system, and the second semiconductor material system can, for example be silicon.

Abstract: N-polar transistor structures have relied on the use of dry etch processes that use plasmas generated from gaseous species to remove III-N layers as commercially viable wet etchants do not exist. The present disclosure reports on methods for the fabrication of N-polar III-N transistors using wet etches along with transistor structures that are enabled by the availability of wet-etches.

Abstract: Derivative cancellation techniques have been used to linearize transistors using multiple discreet devices. However at frequencies approaching and in the mm-wave regime the use of individual devices no longer works due to the parasitics associated with combining the devices. In this invention device structures are described which apply the derivative cancellation technique in a single device thus removing the detrimental impact of combining. In one example, an N-polar transistor structure includes a channel; a cap structure comprising a plurality of cap layers on or above the channel; a source contact and a drain contact to the channel; and a castellated, stepped, or varying pattern formed in the cap layers so that gate metal deposited on the pattern forms at least two different threshold voltages and current combines in the ohmic region with essentially zero parasitic inductance.

Abstract: A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As illustrated herein, a thin InGaN layer introduced in the channel increases the carrier density, reduces the electric field in the channel, and increases the carrier mobility. The dependence of p on InGaN thickness (tInGaN) and indium composition (xIn) was investigated for different channel thicknesses. With optimized tInGaN and xIn, significant improvements in electron mobility were observed. For a 6 nm channel HEMT, the electron mobility increased from 606 to 1141 cm2/(V·s) when the 6 nm thick pure GaN channel was replaced by the 4 nm GaN/2 nm In0.1Ga0.9N composite channel.

Abstract: Described herein are III-N (e.g. GaN) devices having a stepped cap layer over the channel of the device, for which the III-N material is orientated in an N-polar orientation.

Abstract: A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As illustrated herein, a thin InGaN layer introduced in the channel increases the carrier density, reduces the electric field in the channel, and increases the carrier mobility. The dependence of p on InGaN thickness (tInGaN) and indium composition (xIn) was investigated for different channel thicknesses. With optimized tInGaN and xIn, significant improvements in electron mobility were observed. For a 6 nm channel HEMT, the electron mobility increased from 606 to 1141 cm2/(V·s) when the 6 nm thick pure GaN channel was replaced by the 4 nm GaN/2 nm In0.1Ga0.9N composite channel.