The semiconductor ZnO has gained substantial interest in the research community in part because of its large exciton binding energy (60meV) which could lead to lasing action based on exciton recombination even above room temperature. Even though research focusing on ZnO goes back many decades, the renewed interest is fueled by availability of high-quality substrates and reports of p-type conduction and ferromagnetic behavior when doped with transitions metals, both of which remain controversial. It is this renewed interest in ZnO which forms the basis of this review. As mentioned already, ZnO is not new to the semiconductor field, with studies of its lattice parameter dating back to 1935 by Bunn [Proc. Phys. Soc. London 47, 836 (1935)], studies of its vibrational properties with Raman scattering in 1966 by Damen et al. [Phys. Rev. 142, 570 (1966)], detailed optical studies in 1954 by Mollwo [Z. Angew. Phys. 6, 257 (1954)], and its growth by chemical-vapor transport in 1970 by Galli and Coker [Appl. Phys. ...

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A comprehensive review of zno materials and devices

Recent progress in processing and properties of ZnO

Recent research results pertaining to InN, GaN and AlN are reviewed, focusing on the different growth techniques of Group III-nitride crystals and epitaxial films, heterostructures and devices. The chemical and thermal stability of epitaxial nitride films is discussed in relation to the problems of deposition processes and the advantages for applications in high-power and high-temperature devices. The development of growth methods like metalorganic chemical vapour deposition and plasma-induced molecular beam epitaxy has resulted in remarkable improvements in the structural, optical and electrical properties. New developments in precursor chemistry, plasma-based nitrogen sources, substrates, the growth of nucleation layers and selective growth are covered. Deposition conditions and methods used to grow alloys for optical bandgap and lattice engineering are introduced. The review is concluded with a description of recent Group III-nitride semiconductor devices such as bright blue and white light-emitting diodes, the first blue-emitting laser, high-power transistors, and a discussion of further applications in surface acoustic wave devices and sensors.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0022-3727/31/20/001/pdf

Growth and applications of Group III-nitrides

A review is given of recent results in developing improved fabrication processes for ZnO devices with the possible application to UV light emitters, spin functional devices, gas sensors, transparent electronics, and surface acoustic wave devices. There is also interest in integrating ZnO with other wide band-gap semiconductors, such as the AlInGaN system. In this article, we summarize recent progress in controlling n- and p-type doping, materials processing methods, such as ion implantation for doping or isolation, Ohmic and Schottky contact formation, plasma etching, the role of hydrogen in the background n-type conductivity of many ZnO films, and finally, the recent achievement of room-temperature ferromagnetism in transition-metal (Mn or Co)-doped ZnO. This may lead to another class of spintronic devices, in which the spin of the carriers is exploited rather than the charge as in more conventional structures.

Recent advances in processing of ZnO

This paper presents theoretical and experimental results concerning two sources of error in the determination of specific contact resistance of ohmic contacts to semiconductor device structures that utilize circular test patterns with varying gap length. It is shown that the potential drop vs gap length data cannot be usually represented by a straight line and a non-zero metal overlay sheet resistance can significantly alter the effective contact resistance value.

The effects of contact size and non-zero metal resistance on the determination of specific contact resistance

We have investigated and compared the characteristics of Au:Ge, Ni/Au:Ge and Au/Ni/Au:Ge ohmic contact metallizations to ion-implanted and epitaxial n -GaAs layers on semi-insulting substrates. Auger depth profiles of ohmic contacts and SEM of surface microstructures have provided significant insight as to the nature and degradation mechanism of ohmic contacts with aging. An electrolytic tank model with distributed resistors representing nodular or cluster form contacts has been successfully used to understand the effects of non-uniform ohmic contacts. A small degree of change in the semiconductor sheet resistance in the gaps between contacts, with aging at an elevated temperature, has been attributed to possible lateral surface diffusion of Au in the Au:Ge contacts and Ge in the Ni/Au:Ge and Au/Ni/Au:Ge contacts.

Gregory S. Marlow

Papers

The effects of contact size and non-zero metal resistance on the determination of specific contact resistance

The characteristics of AuGe-based ohmic contacts to n-GaAs including the effects of aging