JP3646649B2 - Gallium nitride compound semiconductor light emitting device - Google Patents

Gallium nitride compound semiconductor light emitting device Download PDF

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JP3646649B2
JP3646649B2 JP2000384363A JP2000384363A JP3646649B2 JP 3646649 B2 JP3646649 B2 JP 3646649B2 JP 2000384363 A JP2000384363 A JP 2000384363A JP 2000384363 A JP2000384363 A JP 2000384363A JP 3646649 B2 JP3646649 B2 JP 3646649B2
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layer
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semiconductor layer
compound semiconductor
gallium nitride
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JP2001284645A (en
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修二 中村
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Nichia Corp
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Nichia Corp
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Description

【0001】
【産業上の利用分野】
本発明は発光ダイオード、レーザダイオード等の電子デバイスに使用されるn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体(InXAlYGa1-X-YN、0≦X、0≦Y、X+Y≦1、以下窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体を窒化物半導体という。)の結晶を用いた窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体発光素子に関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
青色、紫外に発光するレーザダイオード、発光ダイオードの材料として窒化物半導体(InX'AlY'Ga1-X'-Y'N、0≦X'、0≦Y'、X'+Y'≦1)が注目されており、最近この材料で光度1cdの青色発光ダイオードが実用化されたばかりである。この青色発光ダイオードは図1に示すように、サファイアよりなる基板1の表面に、GaNよりなるバッファ層2と、GaNよりなるn型層3と、AlGaNよりなるn型クラッド層4と、InGaNよりなる活性層5と、AlGaNよりなるp型クラッド層6と、GaNよりなるp型コンタクト層7とが順に積層された構造を有している。
【0003】
窒化物半導体素子は、一般にMOVPE(有機金属気相エピタキシャル)法、MBE(分子線エピタキシャル)法、HDVPE(ハイドライド気相エピタキシャル)法等の気相成長法を用い、基板表面に窒化物半導体層を積層させることにより得られる。基板にはサファイア、ZnO、SiC、GaAs、MgO等の材料が使用される。基板の表面にはバッファ層を介してn型の窒化物半導体(InXAlYGa1-X-YN、0≦X、0≦Y、X+Y≦1、その中でも特にn型GaN、n型AlGaNが多い。)が成長される。また、SiC、ZnOのように窒化物半導体と格子定数の近い基板を用いる場合には、バッファ層を形成せず、基板に直接n型窒化物半導体が成長されることもある。基本的には、基板の表面にまずn型窒化物半導体層を成長させることにより、発光素子、受光素子等の窒化物半導体素子が作製される。
【0004】
例えばMOVPE法によると、窒化物半導体は、原料ガスにGa源、Al源、In源となる有機金属化合物ガスと、N源となるアンモニアガスとが用いられる。これらの原料ガスを加熱した基板表面に接触させることにより原料ガスを分解して、基板上に窒化物半導体がエピタキシャル成長される。バッファ層には通常GaN、AlN、GaAlN等が選択され、300℃〜900℃の温度で10オングストローム〜0.1μmの厚さで成長される。バッファ層の上に成長するn型窒化物半導体層は900℃以上の温度で、通常1μm以上、4μm以下の膜厚で成長される。
【0005】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
窒化物半導体は、完全に格子整合する基板がないため、非常にエピタキシャル成長させにくい結晶であることが知られている。従って、従来ではSiC基板のように、成長させようする窒化物半導体の格子定数に近い基板を利用するか、または格子不整合を緩和するバッファ層を介して無理矢理エピタキシャル成長されてきた。
【0006】
格子整合しない基板の表面に成長したn型窒化物半導体の結晶の模式断面図を一例として図2に示す。これはジャーナル オブ クリスタル グロウス{Jounal of Crystal Growth, 115, (1991) P628−633}より引用したものであり、サファイア基板の表面にAlNよりなるバッファ層を介してn型GaNをエピタキシャル成長させ、その断面をTEM(transmission electron microscopy)で測定して、そのTEM像から結晶の構造を模式的に示したものである。この図によると、基板上に配向性が整っていないバッファ層が柱状に成長されており、そのバッファ層の上にGaNをエピタキシャル成長させると、そのバッファ層の一部が種結晶のような役割を果たして、徐々にGaNの配向性が整うことにより、結晶性がよくなったGaN層が成長されることを示している。
【0007】
しかしながら、完全に結晶欠陥の無いGaNを成長させることは難しく、図2の破線に示すような多数の結晶欠陥が、バッファ層とGaN層との界面から、GaN層表面に達するまで伸びている。この欠陥は結晶の内部で止まるものもあるが、GaN層表面にまで達するものは、表面で例えば107〜109個/cm2ある。同様に図1の発光ダイオード素子においても、n型層3の結晶中では同様の現象が発生している。
【0008】
基板の表面に成長したn型窒化物半導体層の表面に多数の結晶欠陥があると、その欠陥がn型層の表面に成長するクラッド層、活性層等、全ての半導体層に受け継がれ、素子構造全体に悪影響を及ぼすという問題がある。結晶欠陥の多い素子は、例えば上記のような発光ダイオードとした場合に、発光出力、寿命等の素子性能に悪影響を及ぼすという欠点がある。
【0009】
基板の表面にまずn型窒化物半導体層を成長させるにあたり、結晶欠陥の少ないn型結晶を成長させることが非常に重要であり、それを実現できれば、そのn型結晶の上に成長させるクラッド層、活性層等の結晶欠陥が少なくなるので、窒化物半導体より成るあらゆる素子の性能を向上させることができる。従って、本発明はこのような事情を鑑みなされたものであり、MOVPE、MBE法等の気相成長法により、完全に格子整合していない基板の表面にn型窒化物半導体層を成長させる際に、そのn型窒化物半導体層の格子欠陥を少なくして成長させたn型窒化物半導体を用いた発光素子を提供することを目的とする。
【0010】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、格子整合しない基板の上に、n型窒化物半導体層と活性層が形成され、前記n型窒化物半導体層に負電極が形成された窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体発光素子において、前記n型窒化物半導体層の中に、膜厚が0.001μm以上、0.1μm以下のn型InaGa1-aN(0<a≦1)から成る第2のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と、前記基板と前記第2のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層の間に形成され、前記第2のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と異なる組成を有する第1のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と、前記第2の窒化物半導体層と前記活性層の間に形成され、前記第1のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と同一組成を有する第3のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層とを備え、前記第3のn型窒化物半導体層が、前記第1のn型窒化物半導体層よりも少ない結晶欠陥を有しており、前記第2の窒化物半導体層が、負電極形成用のn型窒化物半導体層のエッチング面よりも活性層に近い位置にあることを特徴とする。
【0012】
【作用】
n型窒化物半導体層の中に、組成の異なる第2の窒化物半導体層を形成すると、第2の窒化物半導体が緩衝層、即ちバッファ層として作用するので、バッファ層で結晶欠陥を緩和できると考えられる(以下本明細書において、第2の窒化物半導体層を第2のバッファ層という)。詳しく述べると、n型窒化物半導体層が基板上に成長される場合、基板と窒化物半導体とのミスマッチが大きいため、成長中に図2の破線に示すような結晶欠陥が結晶中に発生する。ところが、成長させようとするn型窒化物半導体層と組成の異なる第2のバッファ層を中間層として介在させることにより、n型窒化物半導体層の連続した結晶欠陥が、組成が異なる第2のバッファ層で一時的に止まる。次に、第2のバッファ層の表面にn型窒化物半導体を成長させる際は、その第2のバッファ層がミスマッチの少ない基板のような作用をするため、第2のバッファ層の上に成長させるn型窒化物半導体の結晶性がよくなると推察される。
【0013】
第2のバッファ層は一層以上形成すればよく、その一層あたりの膜厚は10オングストローム(0.001μm)以上、1μm以下、さらに好ましくは0.001μm以上、0.1μm以下の範囲に調整することが望ましい。0.001μmよりも薄いと、結晶欠陥を第2のバッファ層で結晶欠陥を止めることが困難となる傾向にある。また1μmよりも厚いと第2のバッファ層から新たな結晶欠陥が発生しやすくなる傾向にあるからである。この第2のバッファ層はまた、一層の膜厚が数十オングストロームで、それを2層以上積層した多層膜とすることもできる。
【0014】
第2のバッファ層はInaGa1-aN(0<a≦1)、もしくはAlbGa1-bN(0<b≦1)、または組成の異なるAlbGa1-bN(0≦b≦1)の薄膜を積層した多層膜であることが望ましい。さらに好ましくはa値が0.5以下のInaGa1-aNか、またはb値が0.5以下のAlbGa1-bNを成長させる。なぜなら、窒化物半導体では四元混晶の半導体層よりも、前記のような三元混晶の方が結晶性がよい。その中でも三元混晶のInaGa1-aN、AlbGa1-bNにおいて、a値、およびb値を前記範囲に調整したバッファ層が、さらに結晶性のよいものが得られるため、第2のバッファ層の結晶欠陥が少なくなり、第2のバッファ層の上に成長するn型窒化物半導体層の結晶欠陥が少なくなる。さらに、第2のバッファ層を多層膜とすると結晶欠陥を非常によく止めることができる。最も好ましい組み合わせは、n型窒化物半導体層がn型GaN(GaNが最も格子欠陥が少ない。)、第2のバッファ層がn型InaGa1-aN(0<a≦0.5)か、若しくはn型AlbGa1-bN(0<b≦0.5)か、または組成の異なるAlbGa1-bN(0≦b≦1)の薄膜を積層した多層膜(超格子)である。
【0015】
さらに、第2のバッファ層の電子キャリア濃度は先に形成したn型窒化物半導体層とほぼ同一か、またはそれより大きく調整することが望ましい。図3および図4は本発明の方法により得られたn型窒化物半導体層3”の上に、nクラッド層4'、活性層5'、pクラッド層6'、pコンタクト層7'を積層して実際の発光素子として、その発光素子の構造を断面図でもって示した図である。図3は、第2のバッファ層33が、負電極形成用のn型層のエッチング面よりも活性層5'側にあるのに対し、図4は第2のバッファ層33がエッチング面よりも基板1'側に形成された点で異なっている。例えば、図3に示すような発光素子を実現した場合、つまり第2のバッファ層33の位置が、負電極を形成すべきエッチング面よりも活性層側に近い位置にあるような素子を実現した場合、第2のバッファ層33の電子キャリア濃度がn型層3'よりも小さいと、第2のバッファ層でnからpへ供給される電子が阻止されて、n型層からp層に電流が流れにくくなり、素子の性能が悪くなる。逆に、第2のバッファ層33の電子キャリア濃度がn型層3よりも大きいと、電子は第2のバッファ層33に均一に広がりやすくなるので、均一な発光を得ることができる。一方、図4のような素子であると、第2のバッファ層33の電子キャリア濃度は小さくても、電流は電子キャリア濃度の大きいn型層3”の方を流れるので、発光素子の特性にはほとんど影響がないが、逆に第2のバッファ層33の電子キャリア濃度が大きい場合は、電流は第2のバッファ層33の方に流れやすくなって、均一な発光が得られる。従って、第2のバッファ層33の電子キャリア濃度は先に形成したn型窒化物半導体層とほぼ同一か、またはそれより大きく調整することが好ましい。
【0016】
n型窒化物半導体層を5μmよりも厚く成長させることにより、表面に到達する結晶欠陥を少なくすることもできる。図2において、破線がn型層の中間で止まっているのは、結晶欠陥が途中で止まっていることを示している。この途中で止まっている結晶欠陥について、さらによく研究してみると、n型窒化物半導体層が基板からおよそ4μmぐらいで止まるものが多いことを新たに見いだした。そこで、同一材料を連続して成長中であれば、結晶欠陥を成長中に次第に止めることが可能であるので、5μm以上でn層を成長させることにより、n層の表面にまで到達する結晶欠陥を少なくすることができる。さらに好ましいn型窒化物半導体層の厚さは7μm以上である。
【0017】
本発明において、基板上に成長されているn型窒化物半導体(InXAlYGa1-X-YN、0≦X、0≦Y、X+Y≦1)は、Y値が0≦Y≦0.5の範囲のAlYGa1-YN、さらに好ましくは0.3以下のAlYGa1-YN、最も好ましくはY=0のGaNを成長させる。なぜなら、前記のように四元混晶の窒化物半導体より、三元混晶の窒化物半導体の方が結晶欠陥が少ないからである。さらに、発光素子、受光素子等の電子デバイスとしてn型窒化物半導体を利用する際には、まず基板上に成長させるn型窒化物半導体は、バンドギャップの小さいInGaNよりもバンドギャップの大きいAlGaN、GaNの方がシングルへテロ、ダブルへテロ等種々の構造を実現する上で好都合であるからである。その中でも、特にAlGaNはAlを含有させるほど結晶欠陥が多くなる傾向にあり、GaNが最も結晶欠陥の少ないn型窒化物半導体層を成長できる傾向にある。
【0018】
基板にはサファイア、GaAs、Si、ZnO、SiC等の材料が使用できるが、一般的にはサファイアを用いる。サファイアを基板とする場合には、基板にはバッファ層を成長させることが好ましいが、サファイア基板の面方位によってはバッファ層無しでも成長可能である。好ましくバッファ層を成長させることにより、格子欠陥を計測できるような平滑で鏡面状のn型窒化物半導体の結晶を得ることができる。また、窒化物半導体をn型にするにはノンドープの状態で、またはSi、Ge、C等のドナー不純物を結晶成長中にドープすることにより実現可能である。
【0019】
【実施例】
以下、MOVPE法による本発明の方法を詳説する。
[実施例1]
▲1▼ まず、よく洗浄したサファイア基板を反応容器内のサセプターの上に設置する。容器内を真空排気した後、水素ガスを容器内に流しながら、基板を1050℃で約20分間加熱し表面の酸化物を除去して、基板のクリーニングを行う。その後サセプターの温度を500℃に調整し、500℃においてGa源としてTMG(トリメチルガリウムガス)、N源としてアンモニアガスを基板の表面に流しながら、GaNよりなるバッファ層を0.02μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0020】
▲2▼ 次に、TMGガスを止め、温度を1050℃まで上昇させた後、TMGガス、SiH4ガスを流し、Siドープn型GaN層を2μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0021】
▲3▼ 次に、TMGガス、SiH4ガスを止め温度を800℃にする。800℃になったらキャリアガスを窒素に切り替え、TMGガス、TMI(トリメチルインジウム)、SiH4ガスを流し、第2のバッファ層としてSiドープn型In0.1Ga0.9N層を0.01μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0022】
▲4▼ In0.1Ga0.9N層成長後、再度温度を1050℃まで上昇させ、キャリアガスを水素に戻してTMGガスおよびSiH4ガスを流し、同様にしてSiドープn型GaN層を2μmの膜厚で成長させる。なお第2のバッファ層のキャリア濃度とこのn型GaN層のキャリア濃度はほぼ同一とした。
【0023】
成長後、基板を反応容器から取り出し、最上層のn型GaN層の表面をTEMで測定し、そのTEM像より、単位面積あたりの結晶欠陥の数を計測したところ、およそ1×104個/cm2であった。
【0024】
[実施例2]▲2▼および▲4▼のn型窒化物半導体層の工程において、TMG、TMA(トリメチルアルミニウム)、SiH4ガスを用い、Siドープn型Al0.3Ga0.7N層をそれぞれ2μmの膜厚で成長させて第2のバッファ層を挟む構造とする他は、実施例1と同様に行う。その結果、同様にして計測したところ、Siドープn型Al0.3Ga0.7N層表面に達している結晶欠陥の数はおよそ5×105個/cm2であった。なお、Siドープn型Al0.3Ga0.7N層の電子キャリア濃度は第2のバッファ層とほぼ同一とした。
【0025】
[実施例3]▲2▼のn型窒化物半導体層の工程と同様にしてSiドープn型GaN層を1μmの膜厚で成長させる。次に▲3▼の第2のバッファ層の工程と同様にして、第2のバッファ層としてSiドープn型In0.1Ga0.9N層を50オングストロームの膜厚で成長させる。さらに、▲4▼のn型窒化物半導体層の工程と同様にして同じくSiドープn型GaN層を1μmの膜厚で順に成長させる。
【0026】
さらに、Siドープn型GaN層の上に▲3▼の工程と同様にして、第3のバッファ層としてSiドープn型In0.1Ga0.9N層を50オングストロームの膜厚でもう一度成長させた後、最後に▲4▼の工程と同様にしてSiドープGaN層を2μmの膜厚で成長させる。つまり実施例3では、サファイア基板の表面にGaNバッファ層200オングストローム、n型GaN層1μm、Siドープn型In0.1Ga0.9N第2バッファ層50オングストローム、n型GaN層1μm、Siドープn型In0.1Ga0.9N第3バッファ層50オングストローム、n型GaN層2μmを順に積層した。
【0027】
その結果、最終層のSiドープn型GaN層の表面に達している結晶欠陥の数はおよそ1×104個/cm2であった。なお第2のバッファ層と第3のバッファ層とSiドープn型GaN層との電子キャリア濃度はほぼ同一とした。
【0028】
[実施例4]▲3▼の第2のバッファ層の工程において、成長温度を変化させずTMG、TMA(トリメチルアルミニウム)、SiH4ガスを用い、Siドープn型Al0.3Ga0.7N層を0.01μmの膜厚で成長させて第2のバッファ層を形成する他は、実施例1と同様に行う。その結果、同様にして計測したところ、Siドープn型GaN層表面に達している結晶欠陥の数はおよそ1×104個/cm2であった。なお、第2のバッファ層の電子キャリア濃度はSiドープn型GaN層とほぼ同一とした。
【0029】
[実施例5]▲3▼の第2のバッファ層の工程において、成長温度を変化させずTMG、TMA、SiH4ガスを用い、まずSiドープn型Al0.02Ga0.98N層を30オングストロームの膜厚で成長させる。次にTMAガスを止め、Siドープn型GaN層を30オングストロームの膜厚で成長させる。そして、この操作をそれぞれ5回繰り返し、30オングストロームのSiドープn型Al0.02Ga0.98N層と、30オングストロームのn型GaN層とをそれぞれ交互に5層づつ積層した多層膜を形成する。以上のようにして第2のバッファ層を形成する他は、実施例1と同様に行う。その結果、格子欠陥を同様にして計測したところ、Siドープn型GaN層表面に達している結晶欠陥の数はおよそ5×103個/cm2であった。なお、第2のバッファ層である多層膜の電子キャリア濃度は、Siドープn型GaN層とほぼ同一とした。
【0030】
[実施例6]実施例2の工程において、第2のバッファ層としてSiドープn型Al0.1GaGa0.9Nを0.01μmの膜厚で成長させる他は同様にして、Siドープn型Al0.3Ga0.7N層を成長させた。その結果、最表面のn型Al0.3Ga0.7N層に達していた格子欠陥の数はおよそ1×105/cm2であった。なおこの実施例の電子キャリア濃度もほぼ同一とした。
【0031】
[比較例1]実施例1において、第2のバッファ層を成長させず、連続してSiドープn型GaN層を4μmの膜厚で成長させたところ、n型GaN層の表面に達した結晶欠陥の数はおよそ1×107個/cm2であった。
【0032】
[実施例7]実際の発光素子の構造とした実施例を示す。実施例1の▲4▼の工程の後に以下の工程を加えた。
▲5▼ Siドープn型GaN層成長後、新たにTMA(トリメチルアルミニウム)ガスを加え、同じく1050℃で、nクラッド層としてSiドープn型Al0.2Ga0.8N層を0.1μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0033】
▲6▼ nクラッド層成長後、TMG、TMA、SiH4ガスを止め、再び温度を800℃に設定して、TMG、TMI、SiH4ガスに加えてDEZ(ジエチルジンク)を流し、活性層としてSiおよびZnドープIn0.05Ga0.95N層を0.1μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0034】
▲7▼ 活性層成長後、TMG、TMI、SiH4、DEZガスを止め、温度を1050℃にした後、TMG、TMA、Cp2Mg(シクロペンタジエニルマグネシウム)ガスを流し、pクラッド層としてMgドープp型Al0.1Ga0.9N層を0.1μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0035】
▲8▼ p型Al0.1Ga0.9N層成長後、TMAガスを止め、同じく1050℃でpコンタクト層としてMgドープp型GaN層を0.3μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0036】
▲9▼ 以上のようにして得た素子のエッチングを行い、第2のバッファ層の次に成長したn型GaN層を露出させ、pコンタクト層と、露出したSiドープn型GaN層とに電極を形成した。つまり図4に示すような構造の発光ダイオード素子とした。さらにこの素子をリードフレームに取り付け、樹脂でモールドした。この発光ダイオードは20mAにおいてVf3.6V、発光波長450nmであり、光度3.0cd、発光出力は3.5mWであった。
【0037】
[比較例2]比較例1で成長させたSiドープGaN層の上に、実施例7と同一の工程を行い、図1に示すような構造の発光ダイオード素子としたところ、この発光ダイオードは20mAにおいてVf3.6V、発光波長450nmであったが、光度は1.0cdであり、発光出力は1.2mWしかなかった。
【0038】
このように本発明の発光素子では、結晶欠陥の少ないn型層を有しているので、その上に積層するクラッド層、活性層等の結晶欠陥が少なくなる。特に活性層の膜厚は約0.2μm以下と薄いため、結晶欠陥の少ない結晶を成長させることは非常に重要である。従って、結晶欠陥の少ない結晶を成長できたことにより、従来の光度1cd以上の光度を有し、発光出力に優れた発光ダイオード素子を実現できる。
【0039】
[実施例8]
▲1▼ 実施例1の▲1▼の工程と同様にしてサファイア基板の表面にGaNよりなるバッファ層を0.02μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0040】
▲2▼ 実施例1の▲2▼の工程と同様にして、バッファ層の上に、Siドープn型GaN層を10μmの膜厚で成長させる。
【0041】
成長後、基板を反応容器から取り出し、n型GaN層表面をTEMで測定し、そのTEM像より、単位面積あたりの結晶欠陥の数を計測したところ、およそ1×105個/cm2であった。
【0042】
[実施例9]Siドープn型GaN層の膜厚を5μmとする他は実施例5と同様にして結晶成長を行ったところ、n型GaN層表面の結晶欠陥の数はおよそ5×106個であった。
【0043】
[実施例10]実施例5の▲2▼の工程において、実施例2の▲2▼と同様にしてSiドープn型Al0.3Ga0.7N層を連続して10μmの厚さで成長させる他は同様にして結晶成長を行ったところ、n型Al0.3Ga0.7N層表面の結晶欠陥の数は、およそ3×106個/cm2であった。
【0044】
[実施例11]実施例5で得られたSiドープGaN層の上に実施例7と同様にして、nクラッド層、活性層、pクラッド層、pコンタクト層を積層して、同様にして発光ダイオードとしたところ、その特性は実施例7のものとほぼ同等であった。
【0045】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の発光素子では、基板上に結晶欠陥の少ないn型窒化物半導体層を有している。従って本発明は、格子整合する基板を有していない窒化物半導体発光素子にとって、結晶欠陥の少ない結晶を積層しているので、受光素子等の電子デバイスにも応用でき、非常に有用である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】 従来の発光ダイオード素子の一構造を示す模式断面図。
【図2】 基板の表面にAlNバッファ層を介してn型GaN層を成長した際の結晶の構造を示す模式断面図。
【図3】 本発明のn型窒化物半導体層を有する発光ダイオード素子の一構造を示す模式断面図。
【図4】 本発明のn型窒化物半導体層を有する発光ダイオード素子の一構造を示す模式断面図。
【符号の説明】
1、1’・・・基板 2、2'・・・バッファ層
3、3'、3”・・・n型窒化物半導体層 4、4'・・・n型クラッド層
5、5'・・・活性層 6、6'・・・pクラッド層
7、7'・・・pコンタクト層
33・・・第2のバッファ層(第2の窒化物半導体層)
[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor (In X Al Y Ga 1-XY N, 0 ≦ X, 0 ≦ Y, X + Y ≦ 1, hereinafter gallium nitride based) used in an electronic device such as a light emitting diode and a laser diode. The present invention relates to a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light-emitting element using a crystal of a compound semiconductor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Laser diodes emitting blue and ultraviolet, and nitride semiconductors as materials for light emitting diodes (In X ′ Al Y ′ Ga 1-X′-Y ′ N, 0 ≦ X ′, 0 ≦ Y ′, X ′ + Y ′ ≦ 1 Recently, blue light-emitting diodes having a light intensity of 1 cd with this material have just been put into practical use. As shown in FIG. 1, the blue light-emitting diode has a buffer layer 2 made of GaN, an n-type layer 3 made of GaN, an n-type clad layer 4 made of AlGaN, and an InGaN film on the surface of a substrate 1 made of sapphire. The p-type cladding layer 6 made of AlGaN and the p-type contact layer 7 made of GaN are sequentially stacked.
[0003]
Nitride semiconductor devices generally use vapor phase growth methods such as MOVPE (metal organic vapor phase epitaxy), MBE (molecular beam epitaxy), and HDVPE (hydride vapor phase epitaxy), and a nitride semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate surface. It is obtained by laminating. A material such as sapphire, ZnO, SiC, GaAs, or MgO is used for the substrate. An n-type nitride semiconductor (In X Al Y Ga 1-XY N, 0 ≦ X, 0 ≦ Y, X + Y ≦ 1, among which n-type GaN and n-type AlGaN are particularly formed on the surface of the substrate via a buffer layer. A lot). In addition, when a substrate having a lattice constant close to that of a nitride semiconductor such as SiC or ZnO is used, an n-type nitride semiconductor may be grown directly on the substrate without forming a buffer layer. Basically, an n-type nitride semiconductor layer is first grown on the surface of a substrate, thereby producing a nitride semiconductor element such as a light emitting element or a light receiving element.
[0004]
For example, according to the MOVPE method, a nitride semiconductor uses an organometallic compound gas serving as a Ga source, an Al source, and an In source and an ammonia gas serving as an N source as a source gas. By bringing these source gases into contact with the heated substrate surface, the source gases are decomposed, and a nitride semiconductor is epitaxially grown on the substrate. As the buffer layer, GaN, AlN, GaAlN or the like is usually selected and grown at a temperature of 300 ° C. to 900 ° C. to a thickness of 10 Å to 0.1 μm. The n-type nitride semiconductor layer grown on the buffer layer is grown at a temperature of 900 ° C. or higher and usually a film thickness of 1 μm or more and 4 μm or less.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Nitride semiconductors are known to be crystals that are very difficult to grow epitaxially because there is no substrate that perfectly matches the lattice. Therefore, conventionally, a substrate close to the lattice constant of the nitride semiconductor to be grown, such as a SiC substrate, has been used, or it has been forcibly epitaxially grown through a buffer layer that relaxes lattice mismatch.
[0006]
An example of a schematic cross-sectional view of an n-type nitride semiconductor crystal grown on the surface of a substrate that is not lattice matched is shown in FIG. This is quoted from Journal of Crystal Growth, {Jounal of Crystal Growth, 115, (1991) P628-633}, where n-type GaN is epitaxially grown on the surface of the sapphire substrate through a buffer layer made of AlN, and its cross section. Is measured by TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and the structure of the crystal is schematically shown from the TEM image. According to this figure, a buffer layer with no orientation is grown on the substrate in a columnar shape. When GaN is epitaxially grown on the buffer layer, a part of the buffer layer plays a role like a seed crystal. It is shown that a GaN layer with improved crystallinity is grown by gradually adjusting the orientation of GaN.
[0007]
However, it is difficult to grow GaN having no crystal defects completely, and many crystal defects as shown by broken lines in FIG. 2 extend from the interface between the buffer layer and the GaN layer until reaching the surface of the GaN layer. Although some of these defects stop inside the crystal, there are, for example, 10 7 to 10 9 / cm 2 on the surface reaching the surface of the GaN layer. Similarly, the same phenomenon occurs in the crystal of the n-type layer 3 in the light emitting diode element of FIG.
[0008]
If there are a large number of crystal defects on the surface of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer grown on the surface of the substrate, the defects are inherited by all semiconductor layers, such as a cladding layer and an active layer, which grow on the surface of the n-type layer. There is the problem of adversely affecting the entire structure. An element having a large number of crystal defects has a drawback in that, for example, when the light emitting diode as described above is used, the element performance such as light emission output and lifetime is adversely affected.
[0009]
In growing an n-type nitride semiconductor layer on the surface of a substrate, it is very important to grow an n-type crystal with few crystal defects, and if this can be realized, a cladding layer grown on the n-type crystal. Since the crystal defects such as the active layer are reduced, the performance of any element made of a nitride semiconductor can be improved. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. When an n-type nitride semiconductor layer is grown on the surface of a substrate that is not completely lattice-matched by a vapor phase growth method such as MOVPE or MBE. Another object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device using an n-type nitride semiconductor grown by reducing lattice defects in the n-type nitride semiconductor layer.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light emitting device in which an n-type nitride semiconductor layer and an active layer are formed on a substrate that is not lattice-matched, and a negative electrode is formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer. Second n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor comprising n-type In a Ga 1-a N (0 <a ≦ 1) having a thickness of 0.001 μm or more and 0.1 μm or less in the type nitride semiconductor layer A first n-type gallium nitride compound formed between the substrate, the substrate and the second n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer and having a composition different from that of the second n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer A third n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer formed between the semiconductor layer, the second nitride semiconductor layer, and the active layer and having the same composition as the first n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer The third n-type nitride half The conductor layer has fewer crystal defects than the first n-type nitride semiconductor layer, and the second nitride semiconductor layer is closer to the etching surface of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer for forming the negative electrode. Is also located near the active layer.
[0012]
[Action]
When a second nitride semiconductor layer having a different composition is formed in the n-type nitride semiconductor layer, the second nitride semiconductor functions as a buffer layer, that is, a buffer layer, so that crystal defects can be alleviated by the buffer layer. (In this specification, the second nitride semiconductor layer is hereinafter referred to as a second buffer layer). More specifically, when an n-type nitride semiconductor layer is grown on a substrate, there is a large mismatch between the substrate and the nitride semiconductor, so that a crystal defect as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2 occurs in the crystal during the growth. . However, by interposing a second buffer layer having a composition different from that of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer to be grown as an intermediate layer, the continuous crystal defects of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer are different from each other in the composition. Temporarily stops at the buffer layer. Next, when an n-type nitride semiconductor is grown on the surface of the second buffer layer, the second buffer layer acts like a substrate with few mismatches, so that it grows on the second buffer layer. It is assumed that the crystallinity of the n-type nitride semiconductor to be improved is improved.
[0013]
The second buffer layer may be formed in one or more layers, and the film thickness per layer is adjusted to a range of 10 angstroms (0.001 μm) to 1 μm, more preferably 0.001 μm to 0.1 μm. Is desirable. When the thickness is smaller than 0.001 μm, it tends to be difficult to stop the crystal defects with the second buffer layer. Further, if it is thicker than 1 μm, new crystal defects tend to be generated from the second buffer layer. The second buffer layer can also be a multilayer film in which one layer is several tens of angstroms and two or more layers are stacked.
[0014]
The second buffer layer may be In a Ga 1-a N (0 <a ≦ 1), Al b Ga 1-b N (0 <b ≦ 1), or Al b Ga 1-b N (0 A multilayer film in which thin films of ≦ b ≦ 1) are laminated is desirable. More preferably, In a Ga 1-a N having an a value of 0.5 or less or Al b Ga 1-b N having a b value of 0.5 or less is grown. This is because, in a nitride semiconductor, the ternary mixed crystal as described above has better crystallinity than the quaternary mixed crystal semiconductor layer. Among them, in ternary mixed crystals of In a Ga 1-a N and AlbGa 1-b N, a buffer layer having a value and a b value adjusted to the above ranges can be obtained with better crystallinity. The crystal defects of the second buffer layer are reduced, and the crystal defects of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer grown on the second buffer layer are reduced. Furthermore, if the second buffer layer is a multilayer film, crystal defects can be stopped very well. The most preferred combination is that the n-type nitride semiconductor layer is n-type GaN (GaN has the fewest lattice defects), and the second buffer layer is n-type In a Ga 1-a N (0 <a ≦ 0.5). N - type Al b Ga 1-b N (0 <b ≦ 0.5), or a multilayer film in which thin films of Al b Ga 1-b N (0 ≦ b ≦ 1) having different compositions are stacked (super Lattice).
[0015]
Furthermore, it is desirable to adjust the electron carrier concentration of the second buffer layer to be substantially the same as or larger than that of the previously formed n-type nitride semiconductor layer. 3 and 4 show an n-clad layer 4 ', an active layer 5', a p-clad layer 6 ', and a p-contact layer 7' stacked on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer 3 "obtained by the method of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the light emitting element as an actual light emitting element, in which the second buffer layer 33 is more active than the etched surface of the n-type layer for forming the negative electrode. 4 differs from FIG. 4 in that the second buffer layer 33 is formed on the substrate 1 ′ side from the etching surface, for example, to realize a light emitting device as shown in FIG. In other words, when an element in which the position of the second buffer layer 33 is closer to the active layer side than the etching surface where the negative electrode is to be formed is realized, the electron carrier concentration of the second buffer layer 33 Is smaller than the n-type layer 3 ′, the second buffer layer supplies n to p. When the electron carrier concentration of the second buffer layer 33 is higher than that of the n-type layer 3, the current is less likely to flow from the n-type layer to the p-layer. The electrons can easily spread uniformly in the second buffer layer 33, so that uniform light emission can be obtained, whereas the element as shown in Fig. 4 has a low electron carrier concentration in the second buffer layer 33. However, since the current flows through the n-type layer 3 ″ having a higher electron carrier concentration, there is almost no effect on the characteristics of the light emitting element. Conversely, when the electron carrier concentration of the second buffer layer 33 is large, the current Can easily flow toward the second buffer layer 33, and uniform light emission can be obtained. Therefore, the electron carrier concentration of the second buffer layer 33 is preferably adjusted to be substantially the same as or larger than that of the previously formed n-type nitride semiconductor layer.
[0016]
By growing the n-type nitride semiconductor layer thicker than 5 μm, crystal defects reaching the surface can be reduced. In FIG. 2, the fact that the broken line stops in the middle of the n-type layer indicates that the crystal defect stops halfway. When the crystal defects stopped in the middle were further studied, it was newly found that many n-type nitride semiconductor layers stop at about 4 μm from the substrate. Therefore, if the same material is continuously grown, it is possible to gradually stop the crystal defects during the growth, so that the crystal defects reaching the surface of the n layer by growing the n layer at 5 μm or more. Can be reduced. A more preferable thickness of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer is 7 μm or more.
[0017]
In the present invention, an n-type nitride semiconductor (In X Al Y Ga 1-XY N, 0 ≦ X, 0 ≦ Y, X + Y ≦ 1) grown on a substrate has a Y value of 0 ≦ Y ≦ 0. Al Y Ga 1 -YN in the range of 5, more preferably 0.3 or less Al Y Ga 1 -YN, most preferably Y = 0 is grown. This is because the ternary mixed crystal nitride semiconductor has fewer crystal defects than the quaternary mixed crystal nitride semiconductor as described above. Furthermore, when using an n-type nitride semiconductor as an electronic device such as a light-emitting element or a light-receiving element, the n-type nitride semiconductor first grown on the substrate is AlGaN having a larger band gap than InGaN having a smaller band gap. This is because GaN is more advantageous in realizing various structures such as single hetero and double hetero. Among them, particularly AlGaN tends to have more crystal defects as Al is contained, and GaN tends to grow an n-type nitride semiconductor layer having the fewest crystal defects.
[0018]
A material such as sapphire, GaAs, Si, ZnO, or SiC can be used for the substrate, but sapphire is generally used. When sapphire is used as a substrate, it is preferable to grow a buffer layer on the substrate, but depending on the plane orientation of the sapphire substrate, it can be grown without the buffer layer. By preferably growing the buffer layer, a smooth and mirror-like n-type nitride semiconductor crystal capable of measuring lattice defects can be obtained. Further, to make the nitride semiconductor n-type can be realized in an undoped state or by doping a donor impurity such as Si, Ge, or C during crystal growth.
[0019]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the method of the present invention by the MOVPE method will be described in detail.
[Example 1]
(1) First, a well-washed sapphire substrate is placed on a susceptor in a reaction vessel. After evacuating the inside of the container, the substrate is heated for about 20 minutes at 1050 ° C. while flowing hydrogen gas into the container to remove the surface oxide, and the substrate is cleaned. Thereafter, the temperature of the susceptor is adjusted to 500 ° C., and at 500 ° C., TMG (trimethyl gallium gas) as a Ga source and ammonia gas as an N source are flowed to the surface of the substrate, and a buffer layer made of GaN is formed to a thickness of 0.02 μm. Grow.
[0020]
(2) Next, after stopping the TMG gas and raising the temperature to 1050 ° C., the TMG gas and SiH 4 gas are flowed to grow the Si-doped n-type GaN layer with a thickness of 2 μm.
[0021]
(3) Next, TMG gas and SiH 4 gas are stopped and the temperature is set to 800 ° C. When the temperature reaches 800 ° C., the carrier gas is switched to nitrogen, TMG gas, TMI (trimethylindium), and SiH 4 gas are allowed to flow, and a Si-doped n-type In0.1Ga0.9N layer having a thickness of 0.01 μm is formed as the second buffer layer. Grow in.
[0022]
(4) After the growth of the In0.1Ga0.9N layer, the temperature is raised again to 1050 ° C., the carrier gas is returned to hydrogen, TMG gas and SiH 4 gas are flown, and the Si-doped n-type GaN layer is formed in a 2 μm film in the same manner. Grow with thickness. The carrier concentration of the second buffer layer and the carrier concentration of the n-type GaN layer were almost the same.
[0023]
After the growth, the substrate is taken out of the reaction vessel, the surface of the uppermost n-type GaN layer was measured by TEM, than the TEM images, it was measured number of crystal defects per unit area, approximately 1 × 10 4 cells / cm 2 .
[0024]
[Example 2] TMG, TMA (trimethylaluminum), and SiH 4 gas were used in the steps of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer of (2) and ( 4 ), and each of the Si-doped n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N layer was 2 μm. Example 2 is performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the second buffer layer is sandwiched between the first and second layers. As a result, when the same measurement was performed, the number of crystal defects reaching the surface of the Si-doped n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N layer was about 5 × 10 5 / cm 2 . The electron carrier concentration of the Si-doped n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N layer was almost the same as that of the second buffer layer.
[0025]
[Example 3] A Si-doped n-type GaN layer is grown to a thickness of 1 μm in the same manner as in the process of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer in (2). Next, in the same manner as the second buffer layer step (3), a Si-doped n-type In0.1Ga0.9N layer is grown as a second buffer layer to a thickness of 50 angstroms. Further, similarly to the step of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer of (4), a Si-doped n-type GaN layer is sequentially grown in a thickness of 1 μm.
[0026]
Further, after the Si-doped n-type In0.1Ga0.9N layer was grown once again at a thickness of 50 angstroms as the third buffer layer in the same manner as the step (3) on the Si-doped n-type GaN layer, Finally, a Si-doped GaN layer is grown to a thickness of 2 μm in the same manner as in step (4). That is, in Example 3, the surface of the sapphire substrate has a GaN buffer layer of 200 Å, an n-type GaN layer of 1 μm, a Si-doped n-type In0.1Ga0.9N second buffer layer of 50 Å, an n-type GaN layer of 1 μm, and a Si-doped n-type In0. A .1Ga0.9N third buffer layer 50 Å and an n-type GaN layer 2 μm were sequentially stacked.
[0027]
As a result, the number of crystal defects reaching the surface of the final Si-doped n-type GaN layer was about 1 × 10 4 / cm 2 . The second buffer layer, the third buffer layer, and the Si-doped n-type GaN layer have substantially the same electron carrier concentration.
[0028]
[Example 4] In the step of the second buffer layer in ( 3 ), TMG, TMA (trimethylaluminum), SiH 4 gas is used without changing the growth temperature, and the Si-doped n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N layer is changed to 0. The same procedure as in Example 1 is performed except that the second buffer layer is formed by growing to a thickness of 0.01 μm. As a result, when measured in the same manner, the number of crystal defects reaching the surface of the Si-doped n-type GaN layer was about 1 × 10 4 / cm 2 . The electron carrier concentration of the second buffer layer was almost the same as that of the Si-doped n-type GaN layer.
[0029]
[Example 5] In the second buffer layer step (3), TMG, TMA, and SiH 4 gas are used without changing the growth temperature, and a Si-doped n-type Al0.02Ga0.98N layer is first formed to a thickness of 30 Å. Grow with thickness. Next, the TMA gas is stopped and a Si-doped n-type GaN layer is grown to a thickness of 30 angstroms. This operation is repeated five times to form a multilayer film in which five 30 Å Si-doped n-type Al 0.02 Ga 0.98 N layers and 30 Å n-type GaN layers are alternately stacked. The same procedure as in Example 1 is performed except that the second buffer layer is formed as described above. As a result, when the lattice defects were measured in the same manner, the number of crystal defects reaching the surface of the Si-doped n-type GaN layer was approximately 5 × 10 3 / cm 2 . Note that the electron carrier concentration of the multilayer film, which is the second buffer layer, was almost the same as that of the Si-doped n-type GaN layer.
[0030]
[Embodiment 6] In the same manner as in Embodiment 2, except that Si-doped n-type Al0.1GaGa0.9N is grown to a thickness of 0.01 μm as the second buffer layer, Si-doped n-type Al0.3Ga0 is used. A .7N layer was grown. As a result, the number of lattice defects that had reached the outermost n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N layer was approximately 1 × 10 5 / cm 2. The electron carrier concentration in this example was also substantially the same.
[0031]
[Comparative Example 1] In Example 1, when the second buffer layer was not grown and a Si-doped n-type GaN layer was continuously grown to a thickness of 4 µm, a crystal reached the surface of the n-type GaN layer. The number of defects was approximately 1 × 10 7 / cm 2 .
[0032]
[Embodiment 7] An embodiment in which the structure of an actual light emitting element is used is shown. The following steps were added after the step (4) in Example 1.
(5) After growth of the Si-doped n-type GaN layer, TMA (trimethylaluminum) gas is newly added, and at 1050 ° C., an Si-doped n-type Al0.2Ga0.8N layer is formed to a thickness of 0.1 μm as an n-cladding layer. Grow.
[0033]
▲ 6 ▼ n clad layer was grown, TMG, stopped TMA, SiH4 gas, again by setting the temperature to 800 ° C., TMG, TMI, flowing DEZ (diethyl zinc) in addition to SiH 4 gas, Si as an active layer Then, a Zn-doped In0.05Ga0.95N layer is grown to a thickness of 0.1 μm.
[0034]
(7) After growth of the active layer, TMG, TMI, SiH 4 , DEZ gas is stopped and the temperature is raised to 1050 ° C., and then TMG, TMA, Cp 2 Mg (cyclopentadienyl magnesium) gas is flowed to form Mg doping as a p-cladding layer A p-type Al0.1Ga0.9N layer is grown to a thickness of 0.1 μm.
[0035]
(8) After growing the p-type Al0.1Ga0.9N layer, the TMA gas is stopped, and an Mg-doped p-type GaN layer is grown to a thickness of 0.3 μm as a p-contact layer at 1050 ° C.
[0036]
(9) The element obtained as described above is etched to expose the n-type GaN layer grown next to the second buffer layer, and an electrode is formed on the p-contact layer and the exposed Si-doped n-type GaN layer. Formed. That is, a light emitting diode element having a structure as shown in FIG. 4 was obtained. Further, this element was attached to a lead frame and molded with resin. This light-emitting diode had a Vf of 3.6 V and an emission wavelength of 450 nm at 20 mA, a luminous intensity of 3.0 cd, and a light emission output of 3.5 mW.
[0037]
[Comparative Example 2] The same process as in Example 7 was performed on the Si-doped GaN layer grown in Comparative Example 1 to obtain a light-emitting diode element having a structure as shown in FIG. Vf was 3.6 V and the emission wavelength was 450 nm, but the luminous intensity was 1.0 cd and the emission output was only 1.2 mW.
[0038]
As described above, the light-emitting element of the present invention has an n-type layer with few crystal defects, so that crystal defects such as a clad layer and an active layer laminated thereon are reduced. In particular, since the thickness of the active layer is as thin as about 0.2 μm or less, it is very important to grow a crystal with few crystal defects. Therefore, by growing a crystal with few crystal defects, it is possible to realize a light-emitting diode element having a luminous intensity of 1 cd or more and an excellent light emission output.
[0039]
[Example 8]
{Circle around (1)} A buffer layer made of GaN is grown to a thickness of 0.02 μm on the surface of the sapphire substrate in the same manner as in step {circle around (1)} in Example 1.
[0040]
(2) Similar to the step (2) of Example 1, a Si-doped n-type GaN layer is grown on the buffer layer to a thickness of 10 μm.
[0041]
After the growth, the substrate was taken out of the reaction vessel, the surface of the n-type GaN layer was measured with TEM, and the number of crystal defects per unit area was measured from the TEM image, which was about 1 × 10 5 pieces / cm 2. It was.
[0042]
[Example 9] Crystal growth was performed in the same manner as in Example 5 except that the film thickness of the Si-doped n-type GaN layer was set to 5 µm, and the number of crystal defects on the surface of the n-type GaN layer was about 5 × 10 6. It was a piece.
[0043]
[Example 10] In the step (2) of Example 5, the Si-doped n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N layer was continuously grown to a thickness of 10 μm in the same manner as in Example 2 (2). When crystal growth was performed in the same manner, the number of crystal defects on the surface of the n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N layer was about 3 × 10 6 / cm 2 .
[0044]
[Example 11] An n-clad layer, an active layer, a p-clad layer, and a p-contact layer are stacked on the Si-doped GaN layer obtained in Example 5 in the same manner as in Example 7, and light is emitted in the same manner. The characteristics of the diode were almost the same as those of Example 7.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the light-emitting element of the present invention has the n-type nitride semiconductor layer with few crystal defects on the substrate. Therefore, the present invention is very useful for a nitride semiconductor light emitting device that does not have a lattice-matching substrate, because crystals with few crystal defects are stacked, and can be applied to an electronic device such as a light receiving device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one structure of a conventional light emitting diode element.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a crystal structure when an n-type GaN layer is grown on the surface of a substrate via an AlN buffer layer.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one structure of a light-emitting diode element having an n-type nitride semiconductor layer of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one structure of a light-emitting diode element having an n-type nitride semiconductor layer of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 '... Board | substrate 2, 2' ... Buffer layer 3, 3 ', 3 "... N-type nitride semiconductor layer 4, 4' ... N-type clad layer 5, 5 '... Active layer 6, 6 ′... P cladding layer 7, 7 ′... P contact layer 33... Second buffer layer (second nitride semiconductor layer)

Claims (4)

格子整合しない基板の上に、n型窒化物半導体層と活性層が形成され、前記n型窒化物半導体層に負電極が形成された窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体発光素子において、
前記n型窒化物半導体層の中に、
膜厚が0.001μm以上、0.1μm以下のn型InaGa1-aN(0<a≦1)から成る第2のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と、
前記基板と前記第2のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層の間に形成され、前記第2のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と異なる組成を有する第1のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と、
前記第2の窒化物半導体層と前記活性層の間に形成され、前記第1のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層と同一組成を有する第3のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層とを備え、
前記第3のn型窒化物半導体層が、前記第1のn型窒化物半導体層よりも少ない結晶欠陥を有しており、
前記第2の窒化物半導体層が、負電極形成用のn型窒化物半導体層のエッチング面よりも活性層に近い位置にあることを特徴とする窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体発光素子。
In a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light emitting device in which an n-type nitride semiconductor layer and an active layer are formed on a substrate that is not lattice-matched, and a negative electrode is formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer,
In the n-type nitride semiconductor layer,
A second n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer made of n-type In a Ga 1-a N (0 <a ≦ 1) having a thickness of 0.001 μm or more and 0.1 μm or less;
A first n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer formed between the substrate and the second n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer and having a composition different from that of the second n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer; ,
A third n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer formed between the second nitride semiconductor layer and the active layer and having the same composition as the first n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer;
The third n-type nitride semiconductor layer has fewer crystal defects than the first n-type nitride semiconductor layer;
The gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light emitting device, wherein the second nitride semiconductor layer is located closer to the active layer than the etching surface of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer for forming the negative electrode.
前記第1のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層及び前記第3のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層が、AlGa1−yN(0≦y≦0.3)から成ることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体発光素子。The first n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer and the third n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer are made of Al y Ga 1-y N (0 ≦ y ≦ 0.3). The gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light-emitting device according to claim 1. 前記第2のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層の電子キャリア濃度が、前記第1のn型窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体層とほぼ同一か、より大きなことを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体発光素子。  3. The electron carrier concentration of the second n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer is substantially the same as or higher than that of the first n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor layer. Gallium nitride compound semiconductor light emitting device. 前記n型窒化物半導体層の膜厚が5μm以上であることを特徴とする請求項1乃至3のいずれか1項に記載の窒化ガリウム系化合物半導体発光素子。  4. The gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light-emitting element according to claim 1, wherein the n-type nitride semiconductor layer has a thickness of 5 μm or more. 5.
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