Model Development for Threshold Voltage Stability Dependent on High Temperature Operations in Wide-Bandgap GaN-Based HEMT Power Devices

Abstract

Temperature-dependent threshold voltage (Vth) stability is a significant issue in the practical application of semi-conductor power devices, especially when they are undergoing a repeated high-temperature operation condition. The Vth analytical model and its stability are dependent on high-temperature operations in wide-bandgap gallium nitride (GaN)-based high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices that were investigated in this work. The temperature effects on the physical parameters—such as barrier height, conduction band, and polarization charge—were analysed to understand the mechanism of Vth stability. The Vth analytical model under high-temperature operation was then proposed and developed to study the measurement temperatures and repeated rounds dependent on Vth stability. The validity of the model was verified by comparing the theoretical calculation data with the experimental measurement and technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation results. This work provides an effective theoretical reference on the Vth stability of power devices in practical, high-temperature applications.

Keywords

• threshold voltage (<i>V</i>_th) stability
• gallium nitride (GaN)
• high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)
• analytical model
• high-temperature operation