An avalanche-and-surge robust ultrawide-bandgap heterojunction for power electronics

Feng Zhou, Hehe Gong, Ming Xiao, Yunwei Ma, Zhengpeng Wang, Xinxin Yu, Li Li, Lan Fu, Hark Hoe Tan, Yi Yang, Fang-Fang Ren, Shulin Gu, Youdou Zheng, Hai Lu (), Rong Zhang (), Yuhao Zhang () and Jiandong Ye ()
Additional contact information
Feng Zhou: Nanjing University
Hehe Gong: Nanjing University
Ming Xiao: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Yunwei Ma: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Zhengpeng Wang: Nanjing University
Xinxin Yu: Nanjing University
Li Li: The Australian National University
Lan Fu: The Australian National University
Hark Hoe Tan: The Australian National University
Yi Yang: Nanjing University
Fang-Fang Ren: Nanjing University
Shulin Gu: Nanjing University
Youdou Zheng: Nanjing University
Hai Lu: Nanjing University
Rong Zhang: Nanjing University
Yuhao Zhang: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Jiandong Ye: Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Avalanche and surge robustness involve fundamental carrier dynamics under high electric field and current density. They are also prerequisites of any power device to survive common overvoltage and overcurrent stresses in power electronics applications such as electric vehicles, electricity grids, and renewable energy processing. Despite tremendous efforts to develop the next-generation power devices using emerging ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors, the lack of effective bipolar doping has been a daunting obstacle for achieving the necessary robustness in these devices. Here we report avalanche and surge robustness in a heterojunction formed between the ultra-wide bandgap n-type gallium oxide and the wide-bandgap p-type nickel oxide. Under 1500 V reverse bias, impact ionization initiates in gallium oxide, and the staggered band alignment favors efficient hole removal, enabling a high avalanche current over 50 A. Under forward bias, bipolar conductivity modulation enables the junction to survive over 50 A surge current. Moreover, the asymmetric carrier lifetime makes the high-level carrier injection dominant in nickel oxide, enabling a fast reverse recovery within 15 ns. This heterojunction breaks the fundamental trade-off between robustness and switching speed in conventional homojunctions and removes a key hurdle to advance ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor devices for power industrial applications.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40194-0

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