Analysis of I-V measurements on Pt/Au-GaN Schottky contacts in a wide temperature range

Abstract

The formerly derived modified method of evaluation of the Schottky barrier height applied on Pt/Au-GaN Schottky structures is presented. It is based on the measurement of I-V characteristics in a wide temperature range. By subtraction of generation-recombination, tunnelling and leakage currents from the total current, the "pure" thermionic emission current I/sub te/ and subsequently Schottky barrier height /spl phi//sub b/ can be evaluated with higher physical relevance. The advantage of the mentioned method is that it allows evaluation of /spl phi//sub b/ from the measured I-V characteristics which significantly deviate from the ideal thermionic-emission characteristics represented in semi-logarithmic coordinates by a straight line. The determination of the Schottky barrier ob on GaN and related compound semiconductors with higher precision is important for further analysis of new combinations of metals and semiconductors and better understanding of the physical behaviour at the interface.