4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes as radiation detectors: A role of Schottky contact area

Capan, Ivana; Bernat, Robert; Makino, Takahiro; Knežević, Tihomir (2023) 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes as radiation detectors: A role of Schottky contact area. Diamond and Related Materials, 137 . ISSN 0925-9635

PDF - Published Version - article Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (755kB)

Abstract

Large-area SiC Schottky barrier diodes can significantly improve the sensitivity in radiation detection due to the increased interacting SiC volume. In this work, we tested a large SiC detector with an area of 1 x 1 cm2. Extensive electrical characterization was performed at temperatures ranging from 150 K to 390 K, demonstrating the impact of barrier inhomogeneities on the electrical performance of the diode. Forward current-voltage (I-V) measurements of the diodes revealed two distinct regions caused by Schottky barrier inhomogeneity present throughout the entire temperature range. The barrier heights in the low- and high-current forward voltage regions were extracted from Richardson plots corrected for the Gaussian distribution of barrier heights, yielding values of 1.52 eV and 1.79 eV, respectively. Deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) revealed only one deeplevel defect, Z1/2, with an activation energy for electron emission of 0.67 eV, which was assigned to the known carbon vacancy. The DLTS study showed no correlation between electrically active defects and barrier inhomogeneity. An excellent energy resolution of 3.2 % was measured using a large area 241Am radiation source, consistent with values for small area SiC detectors that exhibited no barrier height inhomogeneities. The impact of temperature on the alpha particle radiation response was determined within a temperature range of 200 K to 390 K.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	silicon-carbide; 4H-SiC; Schottky barrier height; radiation detection; deep-level transient spectroscopy (DTLS)
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Physics
Divisions:	Administration Division of Materials Physics
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Enhancing Security at Borders and Ports-E-Sicure 2 Ivana Capan 5674 NATO
Depositing User:	Josipa Karadžole
Date Deposited:	13 May 2026 14:17
URI:	https://fulir.irb.hr:/id/eprint/11948
DOI:	10.1016/j.diamond.2023.110072

Actions (login required)

View Item