Study on Electrical and Temperature Characteristics of β-GaO-Based Diodes Controlled by Varying Anode Work Function.

This study systematically investigates the effects of anode metals (Ti/Au and Ni/Au) with different work functions on the electrical and temperature characteristics of β-GaO-based Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs), junction barrier Schottky diodes (JBSDs) and P-N diodes (PNDs), utilizing Silvaco TCAD simulation software, device fabrication and comparative analysis. From the perspective of transport characteristics, it is observed that the SBD exhibits a lower turn-on voltage and a higher current density. Notably, the V of the Ti/Au anode SBD is merely 0.2 V, which is the lowest recorded value in the existing literature. The V and current trend of two types of PNDs are nearly consistent, confirming that the contact between Ti/Au or Ni/Au and NiO is ohmic. A theoretical derivation reveals the basic principles of the different contact resistances and current variations. With the combination of SBD and PND, the V, current density, and variation rate of the JBSD lie between those of the SBD and PND. In terms of temperature characteristics, all diodes can work well at 200 °C, with both current density and V showing a decreasing trend as the temperature increases. Among them, the PND with a Ni/Au anode exhibits the best thermal stability, with reductions in V and current density of 8.20% and 25.31%, respectively, while the SBD with a Ti/Au anode shows the poorest performance, with reductions of 98.56% and 30.73%. Finally, the reverse breakdown (BV) characteristics of all six devices are tested. The average BV values for the PND with Ti/Au and Ni/Au anodes reach 1575 V and 1550 V, respectively. Moreover, although the V of the JBSD decreases to 0.24 V, its average BV is approximately 220 V. This work could provide valuable insights for the future application of β-GaO-based diodes in high-power and low-power consumption systems.