Properties of Be-implanted planar GaAs p-n junctions

The fabrication and characteristics of planar junctions in GaAs formed by Be ion implantation are discussed. The critical processing step is shown to be the use of a carefully deposited oxygen-free Si/SUB 3/N/SUB 4/ encapsulation during post-implantation annealing. Forward and reverse characteristics are presented for Be-implanted junctions formed by encapsulating with SiO/SUB 2/, Si/SUB x/O/SUB y/N/SUB z/, or Si/SUB 3/N/SUB 4/ layers prior to annealing at 900/spl deg/C. Junctions which exhibit leakage current density of ~2/spl times/10/SUP -7/ A/cm/SUP 2/ at 80 V reverse bias and breakdown voltage >200 V have been fabricated using RF-plasma deposited Si/SUB 3/N/SUB 4/ layers as the encapsulant.