Ultrawide-band-gap aluminum nitride (AlN) boasts high
breakdown
field strength, superior thermal conductivity, and exceptional stability,
making it ideal for deep ultraviolet optoelectronics, radio frequency,
and power devices. To date, the epitaxial growth of high-quality doped
AlN via MOCVD has primarily been on AlN or SiC single-crystal substrates
to reduce dislocation densities. However, the limited size and high
cost of these single-crystal substrates necessitate the exploration
of alternative substrates to enhance commercial viability. This study
demonstrates and analyzes the epitaxial growth modes and conductivity
modulation mechanisms of AlN:Si on a cost-effective sapphire substrate.
By adjusting MOCVD epitaxial parameters: growth temperature and V/III
ratio, we controlled the impact of compensating defects (CN and VAl) on conductivity, achieving conductivity enhancements
of 26 and 41%, respectively. Our research validates the feasibility
of obtaining AlN:Si with enhanced electrical performance and crystal
quality on sapphire substrates. It represents a significant step toward
the development of high-power, high-efficiency AlN electronic devices.