Exploring the capability of Hyperspectral Electroluminescence for process monitoring in vertical GaN devices

Karl D. Hobart, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Mona Ebrish, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Travis J. Anderson, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
James Gallagher, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Joseph Spencer, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Jennifer Hite, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Michael Mastro, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

GaN is a promising material for more efficient high frequency and high voltage power switching. However, GaN still is not the common material for power electronics due to immature substrate, homoepitaxial growth, and processing technology. Electroluminescence is a promising method to predict failure points due to high field stress, which can assist in the separation of inherent defects stemming from substrate quality, and from process-induced defects as well as identify problems related to proper edge termination design. In this work, we compare the Electroluminescence signatures of devices on inhomogeneous substrates to DC I-V behavior to demonstrate the utility of the technique for process monitoring.

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