| Author(s): |
Andrew M. Herrero; Paul T. Blanchard; Aric W. Sanders; Matthew D. Brubaker; Norman A. Sanford; Alexana Roshko; Kristine A. Bertness; |
| Title: |
Microstructure evolution and development of annealed Ni/Au contacts to GaN nanowires |
| Published: |
August 21, 2012 |
| Abstract: |
The development of Ni/Au contacts to Mg-doped GaN nanowires (NWs) is examined. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements of these Mg-doped nanowire devices frequently exhibit a strong degradation after annealing in N2/O2. This degradation originates from the poor wetting behavior of Ni and Au on SiO2 and the excessive void formation that occurs at the metal/NW and metal/oxide interfaces. The void formation can cause cracking and delamination of the metal film as well as reduce the contact area at the metal/NW interface, which increases the resistance. The morphology and composition of the annealed Ni/Au contacts on SiO2 and the p-GaN films was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Adhesion experiments were performed in order to determine the degree of adhesion of the Ni/Au films to the SiO2 as well as observe and analyze the morphology of the film’s underside using SEM. Device degradation from annealing was prevented through the use of a specific adhesion layer of Ti/Al/Ni deposited prior to the nanowire dispersal and Ni/Au deposition. I-V of NW devices fabricated using this adhesion layer showed a decrease in resistance after annealing where all others showed an increase in resistance. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on a cross-section of a NW with Ni/Au contacts and a Ti/Al/Ni adhesion layer showed a lack of void formation at the contact/NW interface. Results of the XRD and TEM analysis of the NW contact structure using a Ti/Al/Ni adhesion layer suggests that Al alloying with the Ni/Au contact increases the adhesion and stability of the metal film as well as prevents excessive void formation at the contact/NW interface. |
| Citation: |
Nanotechnology |
| Volume: |
23 |
| Issue: |
365203 |
| Pages: |
pp. 1 - 10 |
| Keywords: |
contacts; GaN; nanowire; Ni/Au |
| Research Areas: |
Semiconductor Materials |
| DOI: |
10.1088/0957 (Note: May link to a non-U.S. Government webpage) |
