Enhancing Performance of GaN/Ga₂O₃ P‐N Junction Uvc Photodetectors via Interdigitated Structure

Abstract

Ga2O3‐based Ultraviolet‐C photodetector (UVCPD) is considered the most promising UVCPD at present and is divided into Metal‐Semiconductor‐Metal (MSM) and PN junction types. Compared with MSM‐PDs, PN‐PDs exhibit superior transient performance due to the built‐in electric field. However, current Ga2O3‐based PN‐PDs lack consideration for carrier collection and electric field distribution. In this study, PN‐PDs with an interdigital n‐Ga2O3 layer and finger electrodes are fabricated on p‐GaN/n‐Ga2O3 epilayers. Ultrafast response times of 31 µs (1/e decay) and 2.76 µs (fast component) are realized, which outperforms all Ga2O3 UVC‐PDs up to now. Under 0 V self‐powered, the responsivity (0.25 A W−1) of interdigital PD is enhanced by the interdigital electrode structure due to increasing carriers’ collection length. Under bias, the performances of interdigital PD with 41.7 A W−1 responsivity and 8243 selection ratios are significantly elevated by enhancing the built‐in electric field in the Ga2O3 region, which is 34.76 and 39.4 times those of traditional PDs, respectively. The intrinsic enhancing mechanism of interdigital structure is also investigated by interdigital PDs with various electrode spacings and perimeters. In summary, this paper not only reports a highly performed interdigitated structure p‐GaN/n‐Ga2O3 UVCPDs, but also provides guidelines for structure design in Ga2O3‐based PN‐PDs.