(Al, Ga, In)N-BASED COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME

Abstract

Disclosed are a (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor device of the present invention comprises a substrate; a (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor layer grown on the substrate; and an electrode formed of at least one material or an alloy thereof selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd and Au on the (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor layer. Further, the method of fabricating the (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor device comprises the steps of growing a P layer including P type impurities in a growth chamber; discharging hydrogen and a hydrogen source gas in the growth chamber; lowering the temperature of the (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor with the P layer formed thereon to such an extent that it can be withdrawn to the outside from the growth chamber; withdrawing the (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor from the growth chamber; and forming an electrode of at least one material or an alloy thereof selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd and Au on the p layer. According to the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently secure P type conductivity and obtain good ohmic contact characteristics without performing an annealing process. And, no further annealing is necessary when Pt, Pd, Au electrode are used.

1 . A P layer of a (Al, Ga, In)N-based compound semiconductor, said P layer being formed by growing the P layer while supplying gases into a growth chamber, stopping the supply of the gases after the growth of the Player, completely discharging the gases existing in the growth chamber at a temperature higher than a temperature at which P type impurities and hydrogen are bonded to each other, and lowering the temperature of the P layer.