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The Influence of Technological Parameters of Deposition of Dielectric Layers by the ICP CVD Method on Surface Leakage Currents in AlGaN/GaN HEMT

https://doi.org/10.35596/1729-7648-2026-24-1-5-12

Abstract

The influence of technological parameters of deposition of dielectric passivating films by the ICP CVD method (gas ratio, inductively coupled plasma power, substrate temperature, operating pressure) on the structural and electrophysical properties of AlGaN surface layers was studied. It is shown that preliminary plasma-chemical treatment of AlGaN in an oxygen environment leads to the formation of a controlled oxide interface, which reduces surface states and suppresses drain-source leakage currents in the closed state by two to three orders of magnitude. A correlation was established between silicon nitride (SiN) deposition conditions and the degree of plasma-induced damage to AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. To minimize degradation, a composite dielectric based on oxygen-containing silicon nitride (SiON) is proposed. The key result is the development of a combined approach: preliminary modification of the AlGaN surface with oxygen plasma followed by SiON deposition in a low-power ICP CVD regime (power ≤300 W, pressure ≥14 Pa). The obtained results demonstrate the promise of the combined approach (surface pre-modification + controlled passivation) for minimizing the degradation of the electrophysical properties of HEMT structures.

About the Authors

S. Demidovich
JSC “INTEGRAL” – Manager Holding Company “INTEGRAL” ; Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics
Belarus

Demidovich Sergey - Leading Engineer at the R&D Center for Branch Laboratory of New Technologies and Materials, Postgraduate

220108, Minsk, Korzhenevskogo St., 16

Tel.: +375 29 207-10-84 



A. Yunik
JSC “INTEGRAL” – Manager Holding Company “INTEGRAL”
Belarus

Andrey Yunik - Leading Engineer at the R&D Center for Branch Laboratory of New Technologies and Materials

Minsk 



N. Kovalchuk
JSC “INTEGRAL” – Manager Holding Company “INTEGRAL”
Belarus

Natallia Kovalchuk - Cand. Sci. (Tech.), Associate Professor, Deputy General Director – Chief Engineer

Minsk 



Ja. Solovjov
JSC “INTEGRAL” – Manager Holding Company “INTEGRAL”
Belarus

Jaroslav Solovjov - Dr. Sci. (Tech.), Associate Professor, Head of the Laboratory of New Technologies and Materials

Minsk 



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For citations:


Demidovich S., Yunik A., Kovalchuk N., Solovjov J. The Influence of Technological Parameters of Deposition of Dielectric Layers by the ICP CVD Method on Surface Leakage Currents in AlGaN/GaN HEMT. Doklady BGUIR. 2026;24(1):5-12. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.35596/1729-7648-2026-24-1-5-12

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