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Volume 40, Issue 12, Dec 2019
Special Topic on Deep Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Materials and Devices
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Magnetic LEGO: van der Vaals interlayer magnetism
Lifeng Yin
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 120201  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/120201

COMMENTS AND OPINIONS
Research status and prospects of deep ultraviolet devices
Hideki Hirayama
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 120301  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/120301

NEWS AND VIEWS
Laser fabrication of graphene-based soft robots
Bing Han, Yong-Lai Zhang
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 120401  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/120401

III-nitride based ultraviolet laser diodes
Degang Zhao
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 120402  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/120402

EDITORIAL
Preface to the Special Topic on Deep Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Materials and Devices
Jinmin Li, Xinqiang Wang, Dabing Li, Tongbo Wei
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 120101  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/120101

REVIEWS
Deep-ultraviolet integrated photonic and optoelectronic devices: A prospect of the hybridization of group III–nitrides, III–oxides, and two-dimensional materials
Nasir Alfaraj, Jung-Wook Min, Chun Hong Kang, Abdullah A. Alatawi, Davide Priante, Ram Chandra Subedi, Malleswararao Tangi, Tien Khee Ng, Boon S. Ooi
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 121801  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/121801

Progress in the design and fabrication of ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet group III–nitride optoelectronic devices, based on aluminum gallium nitride and boron nitride and their alloys, and the heterogeneous integration with two-dimensional and oxide-based materials is reviewed. We emphasize wide-bandgap nitride compound semiconductors (i.e., (B, Al, Ga)N) as the deep-ultraviolet materials of interest, and two-dimensional materials, namely graphene, two-dimensional boron nitride, and two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, along with gallium oxide, as the hybrid integrated materials. We examine their crystallographic properties and elaborate on the challenges that hinder the realization of efficient and reliable ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet devices. In this article we provide an overview of aluminum nitride, sapphire, and gallium oxide as platforms for deep-ultraviolet optoelectronic devices, in which we criticize the status of sapphire as a platform for efficient deep-ultraviolet devices and detail advancements in device growth and fabrication on aluminum nitride and gallium oxide substrates. A critical review of the current status of deep-ultraviolet light emission and detection materials and devices is provided.

Progress in the design and fabrication of ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet group III–nitride optoelectronic devices, based on aluminum gallium nitride and boron nitride and their alloys, and the heterogeneous integration with two-dimensional and oxide-based materials is reviewed. We emphasize wide-bandgap nitride compound semiconductors (i.e., (B, Al, Ga)N) as the deep-ultraviolet materials of interest, and two-dimensional materials, namely graphene, two-dimensional boron nitride, and two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, along with gallium oxide, as the hybrid integrated materials. We examine their crystallographic properties and elaborate on the challenges that hinder the realization of efficient and reliable ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet devices. In this article we provide an overview of aluminum nitride, sapphire, and gallium oxide as platforms for deep-ultraviolet optoelectronic devices, in which we criticize the status of sapphire as a platform for efficient deep-ultraviolet devices and detail advancements in device growth and fabrication on aluminum nitride and gallium oxide substrates. A critical review of the current status of deep-ultraviolet light emission and detection materials and devices is provided.
Recent progress of SiC UV single photon counting avalanche photodiodes
Linlin Su, Dong Zhou, Hai Lu, Rong Zhang, Youdou Zheng
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 121802  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/121802

4H-SiC single photon counting avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) are prior devices for weak ultraviolet (UV) signal detection with the advantages of small size, low leakage current, high avalanche multiplication gain, and high quantum efficiency, which benefit from the large bandgap energy, high carrier drift velocity and excellent physical stability of 4H-SiC semiconductor material. UV detectors are widely used in many key applications, such as missile plume detection, corona discharge, UV astronomy, and biological and chemical agent detection. In this paper, we will describe basic concepts and review recent results on device design, process development, and basic characterizations of 4H-SiC avalanche photodiodes. Several promising device structures and uniformity of avalanche multiplication are discussed, which are important for achieving high performance of 4H-SiC UV SPADs.

4H-SiC single photon counting avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) are prior devices for weak ultraviolet (UV) signal detection with the advantages of small size, low leakage current, high avalanche multiplication gain, and high quantum efficiency, which benefit from the large bandgap energy, high carrier drift velocity and excellent physical stability of 4H-SiC semiconductor material. UV detectors are widely used in many key applications, such as missile plume detection, corona discharge, UV astronomy, and biological and chemical agent detection. In this paper, we will describe basic concepts and review recent results on device design, process development, and basic characterizations of 4H-SiC avalanche photodiodes. Several promising device structures and uniformity of avalanche multiplication are discussed, which are important for achieving high performance of 4H-SiC UV SPADs.
The fabrication of AlN by hydride vapor phase epitaxy
Maosong Sun, Jinfeng Li, Jicai Zhang, Wenhong Sun
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 121803  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/121803

Aluminum nitride (AlN) is the promising substrates material for the epitaxial growth of III-nitrides devices, such as high-power, high-frequency electronic, deep ultraviolet optoelectronics and acoustic devices. However, it is rather difficult to obtain the high quality and crack-free thick AlN wafers because of the low surface migration of Al adatoms and the large thermal and lattice mismatches between the foreign substrates and AlN. In this work, the fabrication of AlN material by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) was summarized and discussed. At last, the outlook of the production of AlN by HVPE was prospected.

Aluminum nitride (AlN) is the promising substrates material for the epitaxial growth of III-nitrides devices, such as high-power, high-frequency electronic, deep ultraviolet optoelectronics and acoustic devices. However, it is rather difficult to obtain the high quality and crack-free thick AlN wafers because of the low surface migration of Al adatoms and the large thermal and lattice mismatches between the foreign substrates and AlN. In this work, the fabrication of AlN material by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) was summarized and discussed. At last, the outlook of the production of AlN by HVPE was prospected.
ARTICLES
Growth properties of gallium oxide on sapphire substrate by plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition
Congyu Hu, Katsuhiko Saito, Tooru Tanaka, Qixin Guo
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122801  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122801

Gallium oxide was deposited on a c-plane sapphire substrate by oxygen plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition (PLD). An oxygen radical was generated by an inductive coupled plasma source and the effect of radio frequency (RF) power on growth rate was investigated. A film grown with plasma assistance showed 2.7 times faster growth rate. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis showed β-Ga2O3 films grown with plasma assistance at 500 °C. The roughness of the films decreased when the RF power of plasma treatment increased. Transmittance of these films was at least 80% and showed sharp absorption edge at 250 nm which was consistent with data previously reported.

Gallium oxide was deposited on a c-plane sapphire substrate by oxygen plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition (PLD). An oxygen radical was generated by an inductive coupled plasma source and the effect of radio frequency (RF) power on growth rate was investigated. A film grown with plasma assistance showed 2.7 times faster growth rate. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis showed β-Ga2O3 films grown with plasma assistance at 500 °C. The roughness of the films decreased when the RF power of plasma treatment increased. Transmittance of these films was at least 80% and showed sharp absorption edge at 250 nm which was consistent with data previously reported.
A contrivance of 277 nm DUV LD with B0.313Ga0.687N/B0.40Ga0.60N QWs and AlxGa1–xN heterojunction grown on AlN substrate
Mussaab I. Niass, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Yifu Wang, Zhengqian Lu, Xue Chen, Yipu Qu, Zhongqiu Du, Fang Wang, Yuhuai Liu
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122802  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122802

In this paper, an ultraviolet C-band laser diode lasing at 277 nm composed of B0.313Ga0.687N/B0.40Ga0.60N QW/QB heterostructure on Mg and Si-doped AlxGa1–xN layers was designed, as well as a lowest reported substitutional accepter and donor concentration up to NA = 5.0 × 1017 cm–3 and ND = 9.0 × 1016 cm–3 for deep ultraviolet lasing was achieved. The structure was assumed to be grown over bulk AlN substrate and operate under a continuous wave at room temperature. Although there is an emphasizing of the suitability for using boron nitride wide band gap in the deep ultraviolet region, there is still a shortage of investigation about the ternary BGaN in aluminum-rich AlGaN alloys. Based on the simulation, an average local gain in quantum wells of 1946 cm–1, the maximum emitted power of 2.4 W, the threshold current of 500 mA, a slope efficiency of 1.91 W/A as well as an average DC resistance for the VI curve of (0.336 Ω) had been observed. Along with an investigation regarding different EBL, designs were included with tapered and inverse tapered structure. Therefore, it had been found a good agreement with the published results for tapered EBL design, with an overweighting for a proposed inverse tapered EBL design.

In this paper, an ultraviolet C-band laser diode lasing at 277 nm composed of B0.313Ga0.687N/B0.40Ga0.60N QW/QB heterostructure on Mg and Si-doped AlxGa1–xN layers was designed, as well as a lowest reported substitutional accepter and donor concentration up to NA = 5.0 × 1017 cm–3 and ND = 9.0 × 1016 cm–3 for deep ultraviolet lasing was achieved. The structure was assumed to be grown over bulk AlN substrate and operate under a continuous wave at room temperature. Although there is an emphasizing of the suitability for using boron nitride wide band gap in the deep ultraviolet region, there is still a shortage of investigation about the ternary BGaN in aluminum-rich AlGaN alloys. Based on the simulation, an average local gain in quantum wells of 1946 cm–1, the maximum emitted power of 2.4 W, the threshold current of 500 mA, a slope efficiency of 1.91 W/A as well as an average DC resistance for the VI curve of (0.336 Ω) had been observed. Along with an investigation regarding different EBL, designs were included with tapered and inverse tapered structure. Therefore, it had been found a good agreement with the published results for tapered EBL design, with an overweighting for a proposed inverse tapered EBL design.
Study of the morphology evolution of AlN grown on nano-patterned sapphire substrate
Zhuohui Wu, Jianchang Yan, Yanan Guo, Liang Zhang, Yi Lu, Xuecheng Wei, Junxi Wang, Jinmin Li
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122803  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122803

This study focused on the evolution of growth front about AlN growth on nano-patterned sapphire substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. The substrate with concave cones was fabricated by nano-imprint lithography and wet etching. Two samples with different epitaxy procedures were fabricated, manifesting as two-dimensional growth mode and three-dimensional growth mode, respectively. The results showed that growth temperature deeply influenced the growth modes and thus played a critical role in the coalescence of AlN. At a relatively high temperature, the AlN epilayer was progressively coalescence and the growth mode was two-dimensional. In this case, we found that the inclined semi-polar facets arising in the process of coalescence were $\left\{ {11\bar 21} \right\}$ type. But when decreasing the temperature, the $\left\{ {11\bar 22} \right\}$ semi-polar facets arose, leading to inverse pyramid morphology and obtaining the three-dimensional growth mode. The 3D inverse pyramid AlN structure could be used for realizing 3D semi-polar UV-LED or facet-controlled epitaxial lateral overgrowth of AlN.

This study focused on the evolution of growth front about AlN growth on nano-patterned sapphire substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. The substrate with concave cones was fabricated by nano-imprint lithography and wet etching. Two samples with different epitaxy procedures were fabricated, manifesting as two-dimensional growth mode and three-dimensional growth mode, respectively. The results showed that growth temperature deeply influenced the growth modes and thus played a critical role in the coalescence of AlN. At a relatively high temperature, the AlN epilayer was progressively coalescence and the growth mode was two-dimensional. In this case, we found that the inclined semi-polar facets arising in the process of coalescence were $\left\{ {11\bar 21} \right\}$ type. But when decreasing the temperature, the $\left\{ {11\bar 22} \right\}$ semi-polar facets arose, leading to inverse pyramid morphology and obtaining the three-dimensional growth mode. The 3D inverse pyramid AlN structure could be used for realizing 3D semi-polar UV-LED or facet-controlled epitaxial lateral overgrowth of AlN.
ARTICLES 
Hot electron effects on the operation of potential well barrier diodes
M. Akura, G. Dunn, M. Missous
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122101  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122101

A study has just been carried out on hot electron effects in GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As potential well barrier (PWB) diodes using both Monte Carlo (MC) and drift-diffusion (DD) models of charge transport. We show the operation and behaviour of the diode in terms of electric field, mean electron velocity and potential, mean energy of electrons and Γ-valley population. The MC model predicts lower currents flowing through the diode due to back scattering at anode (collector) and carrier heating at higher bias. At a bias of 1.0 V, the current density obtained from experimental result, MC and DD simulation models are 1.35, 1.12 and 1.77 μA/μm2 respectively. The reduction in current over conventional model, is compensated to a certain extent because less charge settles in the potential well and so the barrier is slightly reduced. The DD model results in higher currents under the same bias and conditions. However, at very low bias specifically, up to 0.3 V without any carrier heating effects, the DD and MC models look pretty similar as experimental results. The significant differences observed in the I–V characteristics of the DD and MC models at higher biases confirm the importance of energy transport when considering these devices.

A study has just been carried out on hot electron effects in GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As potential well barrier (PWB) diodes using both Monte Carlo (MC) and drift-diffusion (DD) models of charge transport. We show the operation and behaviour of the diode in terms of electric field, mean electron velocity and potential, mean energy of electrons and Γ-valley population. The MC model predicts lower currents flowing through the diode due to back scattering at anode (collector) and carrier heating at higher bias. At a bias of 1.0 V, the current density obtained from experimental result, MC and DD simulation models are 1.35, 1.12 and 1.77 μA/μm2 respectively. The reduction in current over conventional model, is compensated to a certain extent because less charge settles in the potential well and so the barrier is slightly reduced. The DD model results in higher currents under the same bias and conditions. However, at very low bias specifically, up to 0.3 V without any carrier heating effects, the DD and MC models look pretty similar as experimental results. The significant differences observed in the I–V characteristics of the DD and MC models at higher biases confirm the importance of energy transport when considering these devices.
Improved efficiency and photo-stability of methylamine-free perovskite solar cells via cadmium doping
Yong Chen, Yang Zhao, Qiufeng Ye, Zema Chu, Zhigang Yin, Xingwang Zhang, Jingbi You
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122201  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122201

Although perovskite solar cells containing methylamine cation can show high power conversion efficiency, stability is a concern. Here, methylamine-free perovskite material CsxFA1–xPbI3 was synthesized by a one-step method. In addition, we incorporated smaller cadmium ions into mixed perovskite lattice to partially replace Pb ions to address the excessive internal strain in perovskite structure. We have found that the introduction of Cd can improve the crystallinity and the charge carrier lifetime of perovskite films. Consequently, a power conversion efficiency as high as 20.59% was achieved. More importantly, the devices retained 94% of their initial efficiency under 1200 h of continuous illumination.

Although perovskite solar cells containing methylamine cation can show high power conversion efficiency, stability is a concern. Here, methylamine-free perovskite material CsxFA1–xPbI3 was synthesized by a one-step method. In addition, we incorporated smaller cadmium ions into mixed perovskite lattice to partially replace Pb ions to address the excessive internal strain in perovskite structure. We have found that the introduction of Cd can improve the crystallinity and the charge carrier lifetime of perovskite films. Consequently, a power conversion efficiency as high as 20.59% was achieved. More importantly, the devices retained 94% of their initial efficiency under 1200 h of continuous illumination.
Analytical model for the effects of the variation of ferrolectric material parameters on the minimum subthreshold swing in negative capacitance capacitor
Raheela Rasool, Najeeb-ud-Din, G. M. Rather
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122401  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122401

In this paper, we analytically study the relationship between the coercive field, remnant polarization and the thickness of a ferroelectric material, required for the minimum subthreshold swing in a negative capacitance capacitor. The interdependence of the ferroelectric material properties shown in this study is defined by the capacitance matching conditions in the subthreshold region in an NC capacitor. In this paper, we propose an analytical model to find the optimal ferroelectric thickness and channel doping to achieve a minimum subthreshold swing, due to a particular ferroelectric material. Our results have been validated against the numerical and experimental results already available in the literature. Furthermore, we obtain the minimum possible subthreshold swing for different ferroelectric materials used in the gate stack of an NC-FET in the context of a manufacturable semiconductor technology. Our results are presented in the form of a table, which shows the calculated channel doping, ferroelectric thickness and minimum subthreshold for five different ferroelectric materials.

In this paper, we analytically study the relationship between the coercive field, remnant polarization and the thickness of a ferroelectric material, required for the minimum subthreshold swing in a negative capacitance capacitor. The interdependence of the ferroelectric material properties shown in this study is defined by the capacitance matching conditions in the subthreshold region in an NC capacitor. In this paper, we propose an analytical model to find the optimal ferroelectric thickness and channel doping to achieve a minimum subthreshold swing, due to a particular ferroelectric material. Our results have been validated against the numerical and experimental results already available in the literature. Furthermore, we obtain the minimum possible subthreshold swing for different ferroelectric materials used in the gate stack of an NC-FET in the context of a manufacturable semiconductor technology. Our results are presented in the form of a table, which shows the calculated channel doping, ferroelectric thickness and minimum subthreshold for five different ferroelectric materials.
Contact etch process optimization for RF process wafer edge yield improvement
Zhangli Liu, Bingkui He, Fei Meng, Qiang Bao, Yuhong Sun, Shaojun Sun, Guangwei Zhou, Xiuliang Cao, Haiwei Xin
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122402  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122402

Radio-frequency (RF) process products suffer from a wafer edge low yield issue, which is induced by contact opening. A failure mechanism has been proposed that is based on the characteristics of a wafer edge film stack. The large step height at the wafer’s edge leads to worse planarization for the sparse poly-pattern region during the inter-layer dielectric (ILD) chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. A thicker bottom anti-reflect coating (BARC) layer was introduced for a sparse poly-pattern at the wafer edge region. The contact open issue was solved by increasing the break through (BT) time to get a large enough window. Well profile and resistance uniformity were obtained by contact etch recipe optimization.

Radio-frequency (RF) process products suffer from a wafer edge low yield issue, which is induced by contact opening. A failure mechanism has been proposed that is based on the characteristics of a wafer edge film stack. The large step height at the wafer’s edge leads to worse planarization for the sparse poly-pattern region during the inter-layer dielectric (ILD) chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. A thicker bottom anti-reflect coating (BARC) layer was introduced for a sparse poly-pattern at the wafer edge region. The contact open issue was solved by increasing the break through (BT) time to get a large enough window. Well profile and resistance uniformity were obtained by contact etch recipe optimization.
Selection of DBO measurement wavelength for bottom mark asymmetry based on FDTD method
Buqing Xu, Qiang Wu, Lisong Dong, Yayi Wei
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122403  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122403

A physical model for simulating overlay metrology employing diffraction based overlay (DBO) principles is built. It can help to optimize the metrology wavelength selection in DBO. Simulation result of DBO metrology with a model based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is presented. A common case (bottom mark asymmetry) in which error signals are always induced in DBO measurement due to the process imperfection were discussed. The overlay sensitivity of the DBO measurement across the visible illumination spectrum has been performed and compared. After adjusting the model parameters compatible with the actual measurement conditions, the metrology wavelengths which provide the accuracy and robustness of DBO measurement can be optimized.

A physical model for simulating overlay metrology employing diffraction based overlay (DBO) principles is built. It can help to optimize the metrology wavelength selection in DBO. Simulation result of DBO metrology with a model based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is presented. A common case (bottom mark asymmetry) in which error signals are always induced in DBO measurement due to the process imperfection were discussed. The overlay sensitivity of the DBO measurement across the visible illumination spectrum has been performed and compared. After adjusting the model parameters compatible with the actual measurement conditions, the metrology wavelengths which provide the accuracy and robustness of DBO measurement can be optimized.
Column readout circuit with improved offset mismatch and charge sharing for CMOS image sensor
Zhongjie Guo, Ningmei Yu, Longsheng Wu
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122404  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122404

High linearity and low noise column readout chain are two key factors in CMOS image sensor. However, offset mismatch and charge sharing always exist in the conventional column wise readout implementation, even adopting the technology of correlated double sample. A simple column readout circuit with improved offset mismatch and charge sharing for CMOS image sensor is proposed in this paper. Based on the bottom plate sampling and fixed common level method, this novel design can avoid the offset nonuniformity between the two buffers. Also, the single buffer and switched capacitor technique can effectively suppress the charge sharing caused by the varied operating point. The proposed approach is experimentally verified in a 1024 × 1024 prototype chip designed and fabricated in 55 nm low power CMOS process. The measurement results show that the linear range is extended by 20%, the readout noise of bright and dark fields is reduced by 40% and 30% respectively, and the improved photo response nonuniformity is up to 1.16%. Finally, a raw sample image taken by the prototype sensor shows the excellent practical performance.

High linearity and low noise column readout chain are two key factors in CMOS image sensor. However, offset mismatch and charge sharing always exist in the conventional column wise readout implementation, even adopting the technology of correlated double sample. A simple column readout circuit with improved offset mismatch and charge sharing for CMOS image sensor is proposed in this paper. Based on the bottom plate sampling and fixed common level method, this novel design can avoid the offset nonuniformity between the two buffers. Also, the single buffer and switched capacitor technique can effectively suppress the charge sharing caused by the varied operating point. The proposed approach is experimentally verified in a 1024 × 1024 prototype chip designed and fabricated in 55 nm low power CMOS process. The measurement results show that the linear range is extended by 20%, the readout noise of bright and dark fields is reduced by 40% and 30% respectively, and the improved photo response nonuniformity is up to 1.16%. Finally, a raw sample image taken by the prototype sensor shows the excellent practical performance.
Simulation and application of external quantum efficiency of solar cells based on spectroscopy
Guanlin Chen, Can Han, Lingling Yan, Yuelong Li, Ying Zhao, Xiaodan Zhang
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122701  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122701

In this study, a method for optical simulation of external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectra of solar cells based on spectroscopy is proposed, which is based on the tested transmittance and reflectance spectra. First, to obtain a more accurate information of refractive index and extinction coefficient values, we modified the reported optical constants from the measured reflectance and transmittance spectra. The obtained optical constants of each layer were then collected to simulate the EQE spectra of the device. This method provides a simple, accurate and versatile way to obtain the actual optical constants of different layers. The EQE simulation approach was applied to the flat and textured heterojunctions with intrinsic layers (HIT) solar cells, respectively, which showed a perfect matching between the calculation results and the experimental data. Furthermore, the specific optical losses in different devices were analyzed.

In this study, a method for optical simulation of external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectra of solar cells based on spectroscopy is proposed, which is based on the tested transmittance and reflectance spectra. First, to obtain a more accurate information of refractive index and extinction coefficient values, we modified the reported optical constants from the measured reflectance and transmittance spectra. The obtained optical constants of each layer were then collected to simulate the EQE spectra of the device. This method provides a simple, accurate and versatile way to obtain the actual optical constants of different layers. The EQE simulation approach was applied to the flat and textured heterojunctions with intrinsic layers (HIT) solar cells, respectively, which showed a perfect matching between the calculation results and the experimental data. Furthermore, the specific optical losses in different devices were analyzed.
A compact two-dimensional analytical model of the electrical characteristics of a triple-material double-gate tunneling FET structure
C. Usha, P. Vimala
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122901  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122901

This paper presents a compact two-dimensional analytical device model of surface potential, in addition to electric field of triple-material double-gate (TMDG) tunnel FET. The TMDG TFET device model is developed using a parabolic approximation method in the channel depletion space and a boundary state of affairs across the drain and source. The TMDG TFET device is used to analyze the electrical performance of the TMDG structure in terms of changes in potential voltage, lateral and vertical electric field. Because the TMDG TFET has a simple compact structure, the surface potential is computationally efficient and, therefore, may be utilized to analyze and characterize the gate-controlled devices. Furthermore, using Kane's model, the current across the drain can be modeled. The graph results achieved from this device model are close to the data collected from the technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulation.

This paper presents a compact two-dimensional analytical device model of surface potential, in addition to electric field of triple-material double-gate (TMDG) tunnel FET. The TMDG TFET device model is developed using a parabolic approximation method in the channel depletion space and a boundary state of affairs across the drain and source. The TMDG TFET device is used to analyze the electrical performance of the TMDG structure in terms of changes in potential voltage, lateral and vertical electric field. Because the TMDG TFET has a simple compact structure, the surface potential is computationally efficient and, therefore, may be utilized to analyze and characterize the gate-controlled devices. Furthermore, using Kane's model, the current across the drain can be modeled. The graph results achieved from this device model are close to the data collected from the technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulation.
Improvement of tunnel compensated quantum well infrared detector
Chaohui Li, Jun Deng, Weiye Sun, Leilei He, Jianjun Li, Jun Han, Yanli Shi
J. Semicond.  2019, 40(12): 122902  doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/40/12/122902

To reduce the difficulty of the epitaxy caused by multiple quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) with tunnel compensation structure, an improved structure is proposed. In the new structure, the superlattices are located between the tunnel junction and the barrier as the infrared absorption region, eliminating the effect of doping concentration on the well width in the original structure. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the new structure are carried out. The experimental sample is a two-cycle device, each cycle contains a tunnel junction, a superlattice infrared absorption region and a thick barrier. The photosurface of the detector is 200 × 200 μm2 and the light is optically coupled by 45° oblique incidence. The results show that the optimal operating voltage of the sample is –1.1 V, the dark current is 2.99 × 10–8 A, and the blackbody detectivity is 1.352 × 108 cm·Hz1/2·W–1 at 77 K. Our experiments show that the new structure can work normally.

To reduce the difficulty of the epitaxy caused by multiple quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) with tunnel compensation structure, an improved structure is proposed. In the new structure, the superlattices are located between the tunnel junction and the barrier as the infrared absorption region, eliminating the effect of doping concentration on the well width in the original structure. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the new structure are carried out. The experimental sample is a two-cycle device, each cycle contains a tunnel junction, a superlattice infrared absorption region and a thick barrier. The photosurface of the detector is 200 × 200 μm2 and the light is optically coupled by 45° oblique incidence. The results show that the optimal operating voltage of the sample is –1.1 V, the dark current is 2.99 × 10–8 A, and the blackbody detectivity is 1.352 × 108 cm·Hz1/2·W–1 at 77 K. Our experiments show that the new structure can work normally.