Proton implantation effects on electrical and luminescent properties of p-GaN

The electrical properties, deep level spectra, and microcathodoluminescence (MCL) spectra of p-GaN films implanted with 100 keV protons are reported. Measurable decreases of the MCL intensity began for doses as low as 1012 cm−2, while measurable decreases of the hole concentration started for doses of 1013 cm−2. The main deep traps introduced by protons had activation energies of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 eV. The 0.3 and 0.9 eV traps are located in the lower half of the band gap and determine the temperature dependence of the forward current in heavily proton implanted Schottky diodes.