Electron transport within iii-v nitride semiconductors

Abstract

The III-V nitride semiconductor semiconductors, gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, and indium nitride, have been recognized as promising materials for novel electronic and optoelectronic device applications for some time now. Since informed device design requires a firm grasp of the material properties of the underlying electronic material electronic materials, the electron transport that occurs within these III–V nitridesemiconductor nitride semiconductors has been the focus of considerable study over the years. In an effort to provide some perspective on this rapidly evolving field, in this paper we review analyses of the electron transport within these III–V nitride semiconductors. In particular, we discuss the evolution of the field, compare and contrast results obtained by different researchers, and survey the more recent literature. In order to narrow the scope of this chapter, we will primarily focus on the electron transport within bulk wurtzite gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, and indium nitride for the purposes of this review. Most of our discussion will focus on results obtained from our ensemble semi-classical three-valley Monte Carlo (MC) simulation Monte Carlo simulations of the electron transport electron transport within these materials, our results conforming with state-of-the-art III–V nitride semiconductor orthodoxy. Steady-state and transient electron transport results are presented. We conclude our discussion by presenting some recent developments on the electron transport within these materials.