Stephen J. Pearton

Bio: Stephen J. Pearton is an academic researcher from University of Florida. The author has contributed to research in topics: Dry etching & Etching (microfabrication). The author has an hindex of 104, co-authored 1913 publications receiving 58669 citations. Previous affiliations of Stephen J. Pearton include Kyungpook National University & University of Southern California.

Electronic states in modulation doped p-AlGaN/GaN superlattices

Abstract: The properties of p-AlGaN/GaN modulation doped superlattices (SLs) prepared by molecular beam epitaxy were studied by means of conductivity versus temperature, admittance spectroscopy, photoinduced current spectroscopy, microcathodoluminescence (MCL) spectra measurements, and measurements of effective diffusion lengths. It is shown that in SLs grown on GaN underlayers the sheet resistivity is about two orders of magnitude lower than for reference p-GaN films and the resistivity of SLs remains lower up to temperatures of about 350 °C. For SLs grown on AlGaN underlayers the gain in resistivity is much more moderate and certain advantages in using such SLs are envisaged only for temperatures below room temperature. The reason for this lower gain is a considerable decrease in hole mobility compared to p-GaN. The effect is somewhat tentatively attributed to worse crystalline perfection of these SLs. It is also shown that such SLs are characterized by a strongly broadened MCL peak and the presence of additional...

Piezoelectric polarization-induced two dimensional electron gases in AlGaN/GaN heteroepitaxial structures: Application for micro-pressure sensors

Abstract: The wurtzite group-III nitrides exhibit piezoelectric polarization along their c -axis. Differential piezoelectric and spontaneous polarizations in strained AlGaN/GaN heterostructure grown on [0 0 0 1] sapphire substrates induce two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the AlGaN/GaN hetero-interface. By using a simple two-terminal device in a bending configuration, we demonstrate a linear dependence of the 2DEG channel conductance with applied bending strain. A detailed analysis of the elastic strain distribution in the multilayer structure indicates that the applied strain dependence of the conductance is directly proportional to the electron mobility of 2DEG. Thus, the bending test provides a new technique for measuring the electron mobility in this structure. For a mesa-structure device with a partially relaxed applied strain in the top AlGaN layer, the theory further predicts a reversal in the applied strain dependence of the channel conductance for strain relaxation greater than 15% and this prediction is confirmed by the experiment. Finally, the feasibility of fabricating a micro-pressure sensor using a 150 μm diameter thin flexible AlGaN/GaN circular membrane with an interdigitated-fingers device on a (1 1 1) Si substrate is demonstrated. The measured pressure sensitivity is 0.07 mS/bar.

Self-aligned InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors for microwave power application

Abstract: As an alternative to AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) for microwave applications, InGaP/GaAs HBTs with carbon-doped base layers grown by metal organic molecular beam epitaxy (MOMBE) with excellent DC, RF, and microwave performance are demonstrated. As previously reported, with a 700-AA-thick base layer (135- Omega /sq sheet resistance), a DC current gain of 25, and cutoff frequency and maximum frequency of oscillation above 70 GHz were measured for a 2- mu m*5- mu m emitter area device. A device with 12 cells, each consisting of a 2- mu m*15- mu m emitter area device for a total emitter area of 360 mu m/sup 2/, was power tested at 4 GHz under continuous-wave (CW) bias condition. The device delivered 0.6-W output power with 13-dB linear gain and a power-added efficiency of 50%. >

Recent Advances in Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Biological and Gas Sensors

Abstract: There has been significant recent interest in the use of surface-functionalized thin film and nanowire wide bandgap semiconductors, principally GaN, InN, ZnO and SiC, for sensing of gases, heavy metals, UV photons and biological molecules. For the detection of gases such as hydrogen, the semiconductors are typically coated with a catalyst metal such as Pd or Pt to increase the detection sensitivity at room temperature. Functionalizing the surface with oxides, polymers and nitrides is also useful in enhancing the detection sensitivity for gases and ionic solutions. The wide energy bandgap of these materials make them ideal for solar-blind UV detection, which can be of use for detecting fluorescence from biotoxins. The use of enzymes or adsorbed antibody layers on the semiconductor surface leads to highly specific detection of a broad range of antigens of interest in the medical and homeland security fields. We give examples of recent work showing sensitive detection of glucose, lactic acid, prostate cancer and breast cancer markers and the integration of the sensors with wireless data transmission systems to achieve robust, portable sensors.

AlInAs/InGaAs based heterojunction bipolar transistors fabricated by electron cyclotron resonance etch

Abstract: A dry etch fabrication technology for high‐speed AlInAs/InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) utilizing low‐damage electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) CH4/H2/Ar plasma etching is detailed. Small‐area (2×4 to 3×9 μm2 ) devices demonstrated current gains up to 160, unity gain cutoff frequency ( fT) of 57 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency ( fmax) of 35 GHz. The dry etch process uses triple self‐alignment of the emitter and base metals and the base mesa, minimizing the base‐collector capacitance (CBC). These results represent the first report of a truly scalable process for In‐based HBTs and demonstrate the ability of ECR plasma etching to provide smooth, degradation‐free etching of III–V semiconductors.

A comprehensive review of zno materials and devices

Abstract: 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. ...

Spintronics: Fundamentals and applications

Abstract: Spintronics, or spin electronics, involves the study of active control and manipulation of spin degrees of freedom in solid-state systems. This article reviews the current status of this subject, including both recent advances and well-established results. The primary focus is on the basic physical principles underlying the generation of carrier spin polarization, spin dynamics, and spin-polarized transport in semiconductors and metals. Spin transport differs from charge transport in that spin is a nonconserved quantity in solids due to spin-orbit and hyperfine coupling. The authors discuss in detail spin decoherence mechanisms in metals and semiconductors. Various theories of spin injection and spin-polarized transport are applied to hybrid structures relevant to spin-based devices and fundamental studies of materials properties. Experimental work is reviewed with the emphasis on projected applications, in which external electric and magnetic fields and illumination by light will be used to control spin and charge dynamics to create new functionalities not feasible or ineffective with conventional electronics.

Graphene-based composites

Abstract: Graphene has attracted tremendous research interest in recent years, owing to its exceptional properties. The scaled-up and reliable production of graphene derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), offers a wide range of possibilities to synthesize graphene-based functional materials for various applications. This critical review presents and discusses the current development of graphene-based composites. After introduction of the synthesis methods for graphene and its derivatives as well as their properties, we focus on the description of various methods to synthesize graphene-based composites, especially those with functional polymers and inorganic nanostructures. Particular emphasis is placed on strategies for the optimization of composite properties. Lastly, the advantages of graphene-based composites in applications such as the Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, photovoltaic devices, photocatalysis, as well as Raman enhancement are described (279 references).

Fundamentals of zinc oxide as a semiconductor

Abstract: In the past ten years we have witnessed a revival of, and subsequent rapid expansion in, the research on zinc oxide (ZnO) as a semiconductor. Being initially considered as a substrate for GaN and related alloys, the availability of high-quality large bulk single crystals, the strong luminescence demonstrated in optically pumped lasers and the prospects of gaining control over its electrical conductivity have led a large number of groups to turn their research for electronic and photonic devices to ZnO in its own right. The high electron mobility, high thermal conductivity, wide and direct band gap and large exciton binding energy make ZnO suitable for a wide range of devices, including transparent thin-film transistors, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes that operate in the blue and ultraviolet region of the spectrum. In spite of the recent rapid developments, controlling the electrical conductivity of ZnO has remained a major challenge. While a number of research groups have reported achieving p-type ZnO, there are still problems concerning the reproducibility of the results and the stability of the p-type conductivity. Even the cause of the commonly observed unintentional n-type conductivity in as-grown ZnO is still under debate. One approach to address these issues consists of growing high-quality single crystalline bulk and thin films in which the concentrations of impurities and intrinsic defects are controlled. In this review we discuss the status of ZnO as a semiconductor. We first discuss the growth of bulk and epitaxial films, growth conditions and their influence on the incorporation of native defects and impurities. We then present the theory of doping and native defects in ZnO based on density-functional calculations, discussing the stability and electronic structure of native point defects and impurities and their influence on the electrical conductivity and optical properties of ZnO. We pay special attention to the possible causes of the unintentional n-type conductivity, emphasize the role of impurities, critically review the current status of p-type doping and address possible routes to controlling the electrical conductivity in ZnO. Finally, we discuss band-gap engineering using MgZnO and CdZnO alloys.