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J. C. Carrano

Bio: J. C. Carrano is an academic researcher from United States Military Academy. The author has contributed to research in topics: Photodiode & Photodetector. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 29 publications receiving 1641 citations. Previous affiliations of J. C. Carrano include University of Texas at Austin & United States Army Research Laboratory.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the electrical and optical properties of photodiodes fabricated in GaN grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition have been investigated, and it is shown that small-area devices exhibit stable gain with no evidence of microplasmas.
Abstract: We report the electrical and optical characteristics of avalanche photodiodes fabricated in GaN grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The current–voltage characteristics indicate a multiplication of >25. Experiment indicates and simulation verifies that the magnitude of the electric field at the onset of avalanche gain is ⩾3 MV/cm. Small-area devices exhibit stable gain with no evidence of microplasmas.

727 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the material, electrical, and optical properties of metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetectors fabricated on single-crystal GaN, with active layers of 1.5 and 4.0 μm thickness.
Abstract: We report on the material, electrical, and optical properties of metal–semiconductor–metal ultraviolet photodetectors fabricated on single-crystal GaN, with active layers of 1.5 and 4.0 μm thickness. We have modeled current transport in the 1.5 μm devices using thermionic field emission theory, and in the 4.0 μm devices using thermionic emission theory. We have obtained a good fit to the experimental data. Upon repeated field stressing of the 1.5 μm devices, there is a degradation in the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics that is trap related. We hypothesize that traps in the GaN are related to a combination of surface defects (possibly threading dislocations), and deep-level bulk states that are within a tunneling distance of the interface. A simple qualitative model is presented based on experimental results. For devices fabricated on wafers with very low background free electron concentrations, there is a characteristic “punch-through” voltage, which we attribute to the interaction of the depletion ...

196 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a very low dark current (∼57 pA at 10 V reverse bias) was reported for metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors fabricated on GaN epitaxial layers grown by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract: We report a very low dark current (∼57 pA at 10 V reverse bias) metal–semiconductor–metal photodetectors fabricated on GaN epitaxial layers grown by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The photodetectors exhibit the typical sharp band-edge cutoff, with good responsivity. There is indication of a photoconductive gain mechanism. We also performed a Medici simulation to establish an effective area for current density calculations.

103 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A femtosecond optically detected time-of-flight technique that monitors the change in the electroabsorption associated with the transport of photogenerated carriers in a GaN p-i-n diode has been used to determine the room-temperature electron transit time and steady-state velocity as a function of electric field.
Abstract: A femtosecond optically detected time-of-flight technique that monitors the change in the electroabsorption associated with the transport of photogenerated carriers in a GaN p–i–n diode has been used to determine the room-temperature electron transit time and steady-state velocity as a function of electric field. The peak electron velocity of 1.9×107 cm/s, corresponding to a transit time of 2.5 ps, is attained at 225 kV/cm. The shape of the velocity-field characteristic is in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.

94 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on the current transport mechanisms dominant at the Schottky interface of metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors fabricated on single-crystal GaN, with active layers of 1.5 and 4.0 μm thickness.
Abstract: We report on the current transport mechanisms dominant at the Schottky interface of metal–semiconductor–metal photodetectors fabricated on single-crystal GaN, with active layers of 1.5 and 4.0 μm thickness. We have modeled transport in the 1.5 μm devices using thermionic emission theory, and in the 4.0 μm devices using thermionic field emission theory. We have obtained a good fit to the experimental data. We hypothesize that traps in the GaN are related to a combination of surface defects (possibly threading dislocations), and deep-level bulk states that are within a tunneling distance of the interface. A simple qualitative model is presented.

87 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the structural and point defects caused by lattice and stacking mismatch with substrates are discussed. But even the best of the three binaries, InN, AIN and AIN as well as their ternary compounds, contain many structural defects, and these defects notably affect the electrical and optical properties of the host material.
Abstract: Gallium nitride (GaN) and its allied binaries InN and AIN as well as their ternary compounds have gained an unprecedented attention due to their wide-ranging applications encompassing green, blue, violet, and ultraviolet (UV) emitters and detectors (in photon ranges inaccessible by other semiconductors) and high-power amplifiers. However, even the best of the three binaries, GaN, contains many structural and point defects caused to a large extent by lattice and stacking mismatch with substrates. These defects notably affect the electrical and optical properties of the host material and can seriously degrade the performance and reliability of devices made based on these nitride semiconductors. Even though GaN broke the long-standing paradigm that high density of dislocations precludes acceptable device performance, point defects have taken the center stage as they exacerbate efforts to increase the efficiency of emitters, increase laser operation lifetime, and lead to anomalies in electronic devices. The p...

1,724 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of extended and point defects, and key impurities such as C, O, and H, on the electrical and optical properties of GaN is reviewed in this article, along with the influence of process-induced or grown-in defects and impurities on the device physics.
Abstract: The role of extended and point defects, and key impurities such as C, O, and H, on the electrical and optical properties of GaN is reviewed. Recent progress in the development of high reliability contacts, thermal processing, dry and wet etching techniques, implantation doping and isolation, and gate insulator technology is detailed. Finally, the performance of GaN-based electronic and photonic devices such as field effect transistors, UV detectors, laser diodes, and light-emitting diodes is covered, along with the influence of process-induced or grown-in defects and impurities on the device physics.

1,693 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a general review of the advances in widebandgap semiconductor photodetectors is presented, including SiC, diamond, III-nitrides and ZnS.
Abstract: Industries such as the automotive, aerospace or military, as well as environmental and biological research have promoted the development of ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors capable of operating at high temperatures and in hostile environments. UV-enhanced Si photodiodes are hence giving way to a new generation of UV detectors fabricated from wide-bandgap semiconductors, such as SiC, diamond, III-nitrides, ZnS, ZnO, or ZnSe. This paper provides a general review of latest progresses in wide-bandgap semiconductor photodetectors.

1,194 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the electrical and optical properties of photodiodes fabricated in GaN grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition have been investigated, and it is shown that small-area devices exhibit stable gain with no evidence of microplasmas.
Abstract: We report the electrical and optical characteristics of avalanche photodiodes fabricated in GaN grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The current–voltage characteristics indicate a multiplication of >25. Experiment indicates and simulation verifies that the magnitude of the electric field at the onset of avalanche gain is ⩾3 MV/cm. Small-area devices exhibit stable gain with no evidence of microplasmas.

727 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
13 Aug 2013-Sensors
TL;DR: A comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art research activities in the UV photodetection field, including not only semiconductor thin films, but also 1D nanostructured materials, which are attracting more and more attention in the detection field are provided.
Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors have drawn extensive attention owing to their applications in industrial, environmental and even biological fields. Compared to UV-enhanced Si photodetectors, a new generation of wide bandgap semiconductors, such as (Al, In) GaN, diamond, and SiC, have the advantages of high responsivity, high thermal stability, robust radiation hardness and high response speed. On the other hand, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure semiconductors with a wide bandgap, such as β-Ga2O3, GaN, ZnO, or other metal-oxide nanostructures, also show their potential for high-efficiency UV photodetection. In some cases such as flame detection, high-temperature thermally stable detectors with high performance are required. This article provides a comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art research activities in the UV photodetection field, including not only semiconductor thin films, but also 1D nanostructured materials, which are attracting more and more attention in the detection field. A special focus is given on the thermal stability of the developed devices, which is one of the key characteristics for the real applications.

650 citations