Low trap states in in situ SiNx/AlN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor structures grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

We report the use of SiNx grown in situ by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition as the gate dielectric for AlN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures. Two kinds of trap states with different time constants were identified and characterized. In particular, the SiNx/AlN interface exhibits remarkably low trap state densities in the range of 10(11)-10(12) cm(-2) eV(-1). Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that the in situ SiNx layer can provide excellent passivation without causing chemical degradation to the AlN surface. These results imply the great potential of in situ SiNx as an effective gate dielectric for AlN/GaN MIS devices. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.