U.S. patent application number 14/490128 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for group iii-v compound semiconductor photo detector, method of fabricating group iii-v compound semiconductor photo detector, photo detector, and epitaxial wafer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Katsushi Akita, Kei Fujii, Takashi Ishizuka, Youichi Nagai.
Application Number | 20150001466 14/490128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43649172 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150001466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Akita; Katsushi ; et
al. |
January 1, 2015 |
GROUP III-V COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTO DETECTOR, METHOD OF
FABRICATING GROUP III-V COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTO DETECTOR,
PHOTO DETECTOR, AND EPITAXIAL WAFER
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to provide a group III-V
compound semiconductor photo detector comprising an absorption
layer having a group III-V compound semiconductor layer containing
Sb as a group V constituent element, and an n-type InP window
layer, resulting in reduced dark current. The InP layer 23 grown on
the absorption layer 23 contains antimony as impurity, due to the
memory effect with antimony which is supplied during the growth of
a GaAsSb layer of the absorption layer 21. In the group III-V
compound semiconductor photo detector 11, the InP layer 23 contains
antimony as impurity and is doped with silicon as n-type dopant.
Although antimony impurities in the InP layer 23 generate holes,
the silicon contained in the InP layer 23 compensates for the
generated carriers. As a result, the second portion 23d of the InP
layer 23 has sufficient n-type conductivity.
Inventors: |
Akita; Katsushi; (Itami-shi,
JP) ; Ishizuka; Takashi; (Itami-shi, JP) ;
Fujii; Kei; (Itami-shi, JP) ; Nagai; Youichi;
(Osaka-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. |
Osaka-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
43649172 |
Appl. No.: |
14/490128 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13394650 |
Mar 7, 2012 |
8866199 |
|
|
PCT/JP2010/062228 |
Jul 21, 2010 |
|
|
|
14490128 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
257/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 31/03046 20130101;
H01L 21/02466 20130101; H01L 21/02507 20130101; H01L 21/02461
20130101; H01L 31/035236 20130101; H01L 31/109 20130101; H01L
31/035209 20130101; Y02P 70/50 20151101; Y02E 10/544 20130101; H01L
21/02546 20130101; H01L 21/02463 20130101; H01L 21/02392 20130101;
H01L 21/02458 20130101; H01L 31/184 20130101; H01L 31/03042
20130101; Y02P 70/521 20151101 |
Class at
Publication: |
257/21 |
International
Class: |
H01L 31/0352 20060101
H01L031/0352; H01L 31/0304 20060101 H01L031/0304 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2009 |
JP |
2009-206288 |
Sep 7, 2009 |
JP |
2009-206310 |
Claims
1. A group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector comprising:
a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface; an absorption
layer being disposed on the principal surface of the semiconductor
substrate; and an InP layer being disposed on the absorption layer,
the bandgap energy of the absorption layer being smaller than the
bandgap energy of InP, the InP layer being doped with donor, and
the concentration of donor in the InP layer being not less than
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3.
2. The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector according
to claim 1, wherein the concentration of donor in the InP layer is
not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3.
3. The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector according
to claim 1, wherein the donor in the InP layer is silicon.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/394,650, filed Mar. 7, 2012, which is a National Stage
of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2010/062228, filed Jul.
21, 2010, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application
Nos. 2009-206288 and 2009-206310, filed Sep. 7, 2009, all of which
are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a group III-V compound
semiconductor photo detector, a method of fabricating a group III-V
compound semiconductor photo detector, a photo detector, and an
epitaxial wafer.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A method of fabricating a photodiode having a cutoff
wavelength of 2.39 .mu.m is shown in Non-patent Literature 1. A
photo detector has an absorption layer disposed on an InP
substrate, and a p-type InGaAs window layer. The absorption layer
has a type-II quantum well structure of InGaAs/GaAsSb. After mesa
etching, a SiO.sub.2 passivation layer is formed on the p-type
InGaAs window layer.
CITATION LIST
Non Patent Literature
[0004] Non-patent Literature 1: R. Sidhu, "Long-wavelength
Photodiode on InP Using Lattice-Matched GaInAs--GaAsSb Type-II
Quantum Wells" IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 17, No. 12
(2005), pp. 2715-2717
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] According to the knowledge of the inventors, use of an
InGaAs window layer increases dark current, compared with use of an
InP window layer. Hence, in an epitaxial layer structure for a
photo detector having an absorption layer on an InP substrate, an
InP window layer is used as an uppermost layer of the layer
structure. In a front-surface-incident-type photodiode having an
epitaxial layer used as an incident surface, an InP window layer
does not absorb near-infrared light to reach an absorption layer.
As described above, the InP window layer is also useful for
reducing dark current.
[0006] In the photodiode, an epitaxial layer stack is grown by
metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. The epitaxial layer stack
includes an absorption layer. If the absorption layer is
constituted by group III-V compound semiconductor containing Sb as
a group V constituent element, for example, an InGaAs/GaAsSb
type-II quantum well structure, the epitaxial layer stack is formed
by growing a group III-V compound semiconductor layer containing Sb
as a group V constituent element and then growing a crystallized
InP window layer. Subsequently, a p-n junction is formed by
selectively forming an anode region on a portion of the epitaxial
layer stack.
[0007] During the measurement of various characteristics of the
photodiode prepared by this method, the inventors find an
unexpected electrical behavior (an increase in dark current).
According to a further investigation on the unexpected behavior,
the InP window layer, which normally has n-type conductivity,
indicates p-type conductivity. If the InP window layer has p-type
conductivity, a p-n junction is formed outside the selectively
formed anode region. This leads to expansion of the p-n junction
region, and an increase in surface leak current due to surface
exposure of the p-n junction region, resulting in a disadvantage of
an increase in dark current. The inventors found the following
event during an investigation on the cause of this phenomenon. For
example, the inventors found that antimony as impurity in an amount
exceeding the background level is contained in the InP, although
antimony is not supplied during the growth of the InP window layer.
According to study by the inventors, the contamination of antimony
is characteristic to InP.
[0008] An object of the present invention, accomplished under such
a circumstance, is to provide a group III-V compound semiconductor
photo detector including an absorption layer and an n-type InP
window layer and generating reduced dark current in which the
absorption layer includes a group III-V compound semiconductor
layer containing Sb as a group V constituent element, and a method
of fabricating the same. Another object of the present invention is
to provide a photo detector generating reduced dark current and an
epitaxial wafer.
Solution to Problem
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a group
III-V compound semiconductor photo detector comprises (a) a
semiconductor substrate having a principal surface; (b) an
absorption layer being disposed on the principal surface of the
semiconductor substrate; (c) an InP layer being disposed on the
absorption layer and having a first portion and a second portion;
and (d) an anode region of p-type semiconductor extending from a
surface of the first portion of the InP layer toward the absorption
layer. The bandgap energy of the absorption layer is smaller than
the bandgap energy of InP. The InP layer is doped with n-type
dopant. The majority carrier in the second portion of the InP layer
is electron. The concentration of electron in the second portion of
the InP layer is not less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3.
[0010] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the InP layer grown on the absorption layer contains antimony as
impurity, which is derived from remaining antimony in a reactor
after the growth of a group III-V compound semiconductor layer of
the absorption layer under supply of antimony (i.e., the memory
effect). According to an investigation by the inventors, antimony
as impurity in the InP layer generates holes. The n-type dopant
contained in the InP layer compensates for the generated carrier,
so that the majority carrier in the second portion of the InP layer
is electron. Since the electron concentration is not less than
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, the second portion of the InP layer
has sufficient n-type conductivity. Thus, regions outside the
selectively formed anode region have n-type conductivity, resulting
in selective formation of a p-n junction, and thus reducing dark
current.
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a group
III-V compound semiconductor photo detector comprises (a) a
semiconductor substrate having a principal surface; (b) an
absorption layer being disposed on the principal surface of the
semiconductor substrate; and (c) an InP layer being disposed on the
absorption layer. The bandgap energy of the absorption layer is
smaller than the bandgap energy of InP. The InP layer is doped with
donor. The concentration of donor in the InP layer is not less than
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3.
[0012] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the InP layer grown on the absorption layer contains antimony as
impurity, which is derived from remaining antimony in a reactor
after the growth of a group III-V compound semiconductor layer of
the absorption layer under supply of antimony (i.e., the memory
effect). According to an investigation by the inventors, the
antimony as impurity in the InP layer generates holes. The donor
contained in the InP layer compensates for the generated carriers,
so that the majority carrier in the second portion of the InP layer
is electron. Since the concentration of donor is not less than
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, the second portion of the InP layer
has sufficient n-type conductivity. Thus, regions outside the
selectively formed anode region have n-type conductivity, resulting
in selective formation of a p-n junction, and thus reducing dark
current.
[0013] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the concentration of donor in the InP layer may be not more than
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. In the group III-V compound
semiconductor photo detector, the donor in the InP layer may be
silicon.
[0014] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the absorption layer may have a group III-V compound semiconductor
layer containing at least antimony as a group V element. In the
group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector, the InP layer
may contain antimony as impurity.
[0015] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the concentration of electron in the second portion of the InP
layer may be not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3.
[0016] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector, if
the second portion of the InP layer has an electron concentration
of not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, the anode region can
have proper properties.
[0017] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the antimony concentration in the InP layer may be not less than
1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 and not more than 1.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3.
[0018] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the concentration of antimony as impurity in the InP layer is
within the above range, in which part of the antimony impurities
generate holes. Dopant silicon compensates for the generated hole
carriers, resulting in making electron the majority carrier. Thus,
regions outside the selectively formed anode region have n-type
conductivity, resulting in selective formation of a p-n junction,
and thus reducing dark current.
[0019] The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector may
further comprise an undoped InGaAs layer disposed between the
absorption layer and the InP layer. The antimony concentration in
the InP layer is higher than the antimony concentration in the
InGaAs layer.
[0020] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the InGaAs layer can be used to adjust a position of the anode
region relative to the absorption layer. Although the InGaAs layer
contains antimony as impurity, the concentration of antimony in the
InP layer is higher than the concentration of antimony in the
InGaAs layer. Thus, the InGaAs layer can be undoped.
[0021] The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector may
further comprise a passivation layer of insulating material. The
passivation layer covers a surface of the second portion of the InP
layer.
[0022] The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector can
reduce surface leak current, as well as dark current caused by a
window layer material.
[0023] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the absorption layer may have at least one structure of a multiple
quantum well structure having an InGaAs layer and a GaAsSb layer,
and a multiple quantum well structure having a GaInNAs layer and a
GaAsSb layer. The absorption layer may include a GaAsSb layer.
[0024] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector, an
absorption layer having desired wavelength sensitivity can be
obtained.
[0025] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the semiconductor substrate is constituted by conductive InP. The
group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector may further
comprise a cathode electrode being disposed on a rear surface of
the semiconductor substrate.
[0026] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector,
the InP substrate can provide an absorption layer having a
preferred light-receiving sensitivity. Moreover, the anode region
selectively provided on the first portion of the InP layer and the
cathode provided on the InP substrate can provide a preferred
light-receiving property, in which the anode region comprises
p-type semiconductor extending from the surface to the absorption
layer.
[0027] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method of fabricating a group III-V compound semiconductor photo
detector. The method comprises the steps of: (a) disposing a
substrate into a reactor; (b) preparing an epitaxial wafer in the
reactor by growing a semiconductor layer stack for the group III-V
compound semiconductor photo detector; (c) bringing out the
epitaxial wafer from the reactor after forming an InP layer on an
absorption layer; and (d) forming an anode region of p-type
semiconductor extending toward the absorption layer by introducing
p-type dopants from a surface of the InP layer, after bringing out
the epitaxial wafer from the reactor. The step of growing the
semiconductor layer stack includes (b1) a step of forming the
absorption layer on a principal surface of the substrate by
supplying a source gas containing antimony source and a group V
source into the reactor, in which the absorption layer has a group
III-V compound semiconductor layer containing at least antimony as
a group V constituent element, (b2) a step of forming the InP layer
with n-type conductivity on the absorption layer by supplying a
source gas containing n-type dopant, indium source and phosphorus
source into the reactor, after stopping the supply of the antimony
source into the reactor. The bandgap energy of the absorption layer
is smaller than the bandgap energy of InP. The InP layer contains
antimony as impurity. The concentration of electron in the InP
layer is not less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3.
[0028] According to this method, although the InP layer is grown
without supplying antimony into the reactor, the InP layer contains
antimony as impurity, which is derived from remaining antimony in
the reactor after the growth of the group III-V compound
semiconductor layer of the absorption layer (i.e., the memory
effect). According to an investigation by the inventors, the
antimony as impurity in the InP layer generates holes. The n-type
dopant doped in the InP layer compensates for the generated
carriers, and thus the majority carrier in the second portion of
the InP layer is electron. Since the concentration of electron is
not less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, the second portion of
the InP layer has sufficient n-type conductivity.
[0029] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method of fabricating a group III-V compound semiconductor photo
detector. The method comprises the steps of: (a) disposing a
substrate into a reactor; (b) preparing an epitaxial wafer by
growing a semiconductor layer stack for the group III-V compound
semiconductor photo detector, in the reactor; (c) bringing out the
epitaxial wafer from the reactor after forming an InP layer on an
absorption layer; and (d) forming an anode region of p-type
semiconductor extending toward the absorption layer by introducing
p-type dopants from a surface of the InP layer after bringing out
the epitaxial wafer from the reactor. The step of growing the
semiconductor layer stack includes (b1) a step of forming the
absorption layer on a principal surface of the substrate, (b2) a
step of forming the InP layer with n-type conductivity on the
absorption layer by supplying a source gas containing n-type
dopant, indium source and phosphorous source into the reactor. The
bandgap energy of the absorption layer is smaller than the bandgap
energy of InP. The concentration of donor in the InP layer is not
less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3.
[0030] According to the method, although the InP layer is grown
without supplying antimony into the reactor, the InP layer contains
antimony as impurity, which is derived from remaining antimony in
the reactor after the growth of the group III-V compound
semiconductor layer of the absorption layer under supply of
antimony (i.e., a memory effect). According to an investigation by
the inventors, the antimony as impurity in the InP layer generates
holes. Since the donor in the InP layer compensates for the
generated holes, the majority carrier in the second portion of the
InP layer is electron. Since the concentration of donor is not less
than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, the second portion of the InP
layer has sufficient n-type conductivity.
[0031] According to the method, the concentration of donor in the
InP layer may be not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3.
According to the method, the donor in the InP layer may be
silicon.
[0032] The method further comprises a step of supplying a source
gas containing antimony source and group V source into the reactor,
and the absorption layer can have a group III-V compound
semiconductor layer containing at least antimony as a group V
element. According to the method, the InP layer may also contain
antimony as impurity.
[0033] According to the method, the concentration of electron in
the second portion of the InP layer may be not more than
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3.
[0034] According to the method, if the concentration of electron in
the InP layer is not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.3, the
anode region can have proper properties without an increase in
p-type dopants to form the anode region.
[0035] According to the method, the antimony concentration in the
InP layer may be not less than 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 and not
more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3.
[0036] According to the method, the concentration of antimony as
impurity in the InP layer is within the above range, in which part
of the antimony impurities generate holes.
[0037] The method may further comprise a step of growing an InGaAs
layer on the absorption layer by supplying a source gas containing
group III source and group V source into the reactor before growing
the InP layer. The antimony concentration in the InGaAs layer is
lower than the antimony concentration in the InP layer.
[0038] According to the method, the InGaAs layer may be used to
adjust a position of the anode region relative to the absorption
layer. Although the InGaAs layer also contains antimony as
impurity, the concentration of antimony in the InP layer is higher
than the concentration of antimony in the InGaAs layer. Thus, the
InGaAs layer can remain undoped.
[0039] According to the method, the absorption layer may have at
least one structure of a multiple quantum well structure having an
InGaAs layer and a GaAsSb layer, and a multiple quantum well
structure having a GaInNAs layer and a GaAsSb layer, and the
absorption layer may include a GaAsSb layer.
[0040] The method can form an absorption layer having desired
wavelength sensitivity.
[0041] According to the method, the absorption layer and the InP
layer may be grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. According
to this method, the memory effect due to remaining antimony occurs
during the growth of the InP layer while the absorption layer and
the InP layer can have proper properties.
[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
photo detector comprises a substrate of group III-V semiconductor;
an absorption layer being provided on the substrate; a
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer of group III-V
semiconductor being provided in contact with the absorption layer;
and a window layer of group III-V semiconductor being provided in
contact with the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer and having a bandgap energy larger than the bandgap energy of
the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer, the
absorption layer being disposed between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer and the substrate, the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer being disposed
between the absorption layer and the window layer, a semiconductor
region being constituted by the window layer and the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and having a
first region and a second region, the first region and the second
region being disposed, in sequence, along a binding surface between
the semiconductor region and the absorption layer, the first region
containing a predetermined impurity element and being in contact
with the second region, the first region having p-type
conductivity, and a maximum value of a concentration of n-type
carrier in a predetermined region being not less than
5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and not more than 1.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3, the predetermined region extending from a binding
surface between the window layer and the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer into the window layer or the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer in the second
region.
[0043] For two adjacent pixels of photo detectors, if the
concentration of carrier is less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3
or more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, a preferred pnp junction
cannot formed between the adjacent pixels. This leads to leak
current between the adjacent pixels, resulting in increased dark
current. Moreover, in the binding surface between the window layer
and the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer (the
interface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer and the window layer), a preferred pnp
junction cannot be formed between the adjacent pixels due to
generation of defects functioning as holes or carrier depletion
caused by discontinuity of the bands. This leads to leak current in
the adjacent pixels, resulting in increased dark current. In
contrast, the photo detector according to the aspect of the present
invention has an increased concentration of n-type carrier on the
binding surface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer and the window layer, compared with
the concentration of n-type carrier in the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer or the window layer, resulting in
reduced dark current.
[0044] In the photo detector, the maximum value of the
concentration of n-type carrier in the predetermined region may be
higher than a maximum value of a concentration of n-type carrier in
an outside region in contact with the predetermined region, the
outside region lying in the window layer or the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer. Accordingly,
the carrier concentration is increased only around the binding
surface between the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer and the window layer, resulting in significantly reduced dark
current.
[0045] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
photo detector comprises a substrate of group III-V semiconductor;
an absorption layer being provided on the substrate; a
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer of group III-V
semiconductor being provided in contact with the absorption layer;
and a window layer of group III-V semiconductor being provided in
contact with the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer and having a bandgap energy larger than the bandgap energy of
the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer, the
absorption layer being disposed between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer and the substrate, the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer being disposed
between the absorption layer and the window layer, a semiconductor
region being constituted by the window layer and the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and having a
first region and a second region, the first region and the second
region being disposed, in sequence, along a binding surface between
the semiconductor region and the absorption layer, the first region
containing a predetermined impurity element and being in contact
with the second region, the first region having p-type
conductivity, and a concentration of donor in a predetermined
region being not less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and not more
than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, the predetermined region
extending from a binding surface between the window layer and the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer into the
window layer or the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer.
[0046] For two adjacent pixels of photo detectors, if the
concentration of carrier is less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3
or more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, a preferred pnp junction
cannot be formed between the adjacent pixels. This leads to leak
current between the adjacent pixels, resulting in increased dark
current. Moreover, in the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and the window
layer, a preferred pnp junction cannot be formed between the
adjacent pixels due to generation of the defects functioning as
holes or carrier depletion caused by discontinuity of the bands.
This leads to leak current in the adjacent pixels, resulting in
increased dark current. According to the aspect of the present
invention, the photo detector has an increased concentration of
n-type carrier on the binding surface between the window layer and
the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer, compared
with the concentration of n-type carrier in the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and the window
layer, resulting in reduced dark current. The concentration of
carrier in such a range can be achieved by doping with donor
impurities.
[0047] In the photo detector, the maximum value of the
concentration of donor in the predetermined region may be higher
than a maximum value of donor concentration in an outside region in
contact with the predetermined region, the outside region lying in
the window layer or the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer. Accordingly, the concentration of the
donor is increased only around the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and the window
layer, resulting in significantly reduced dark current. Moreover,
the thickness of the predetermined region may be not less than 0.02
.mu.m and not more than 0.2 .mu.m. The predetermined region having
a thickness of less than 0.02 .mu.m cannot compensate for the
generation of the defects functioning as holes, or carrier
depletion due to discontinuity of the bands, which cannot reduce
dark current. The predetermined region having a thickness of more
than 0.2 .mu.m causes generation of excess n-type carriers,
resulting in increased dark current.
[0048] In the photo detector, the donor may be Si. The use of Si
facilitates the control of the concentration of n-type carrier or
donor.
[0049] In the photo detector, the impurity element may be Zn. The
dope with Zn as an impurity element provides a p-type region, so
that an array of photo detectors can be formed on an epitaxial
wafer.
[0050] In the photo detector, the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer may be constituted by InGaAs. Since Zn
has a lower diffusion rate in InGaAs than in InP, the depth of
diffused Zn can be more precisely controlled in InGaAs.
[0051] In the photo detector, the window layer may be constituted
by InP. Since more technologies have been accumulated on the
formation of a passivation layer on a surface of crystallized InP
than on a surface of InGaAs, leakage of dark current can be readily
controlled on the surface of InP. In a structure of the photo
detector having a light entrance plane above the epitaxial layers,
the window layer of InP effectively can reduce generation of dark
current, preventing near-infrared absorption in the region from the
light entrance plane to the absorption layer.
[0052] In the photo detector, the absorption layer may have a
type-II multiple quantum well structure. Hence, the fabricated
photo detector has light-receiving sensitivity over a longer
wavelength range of the near-infrared (a wavelength>2 .mu.m)
region.
[0053] In the photo detector, the multiple quantum well structure
may be constituted by a pair of an In.sub.xGa.sub.1-xAs
(0.38.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.68) layer and a GaAs.sub.1-ySb.sub.y
(0.36.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.62) layer, or, a pair of a
Ga.sub.1-tIn.sub.tN.sub.uAs.sub.1-u (0.4.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.0.8,
0<u.ltoreq.0.2) layer and a GaAs.sub.1-vSb.sub.v
(0.36.ltoreq.v.ltoreq.0.62) layer. This enables efficient mass
production of, for example, photodiodes having light-receiving
sensitivity in the near-infrared region and high crystallinity.
[0054] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
epitaxial wafer comprises a substrate of group III-V semiconductor;
an absorption layer being provided on the substrate; a
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer of group III-V
semiconductor being provided in contact with the absorption layer;
and a window layer of group III-V semiconductor being provided in
contact with the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer and having a bandgap energy larger than the bandgap energy of
the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer, the
absorption layer being disposed between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer and the substrate, the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer being disposed
between the absorption layer and the window layer, a maximum value
of a concentration of n-type carrier in a predetermined region
being not less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and not more than
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, the predetermined region extending
from a binding surface between the window layer and the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer into the
window layer or the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer.
[0055] For two adjacent pixels of photo detectors, if the
concentration of carrier is less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3
or more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, a preferred pnp junction
cannot be formed between the adjacent pixels. This leads to leak
current between the adjacent pixels, resulting in increased dark
current. Moreover, in the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and the window
layer, a preferred pnp junction cannot be formed between the
adjacent pixels due to generation of defects functioning as holes
or carrier depletion caused by discontinuity of the bands. This
leads to leak current in the adjacent pixels, resulting in
increased dark current. In contrast, the epitaxial wafer according
to the aspect of the present invention has an increased
concentration of n-type carrier on the binding surface between the
window layer and the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer, compared with the concentration of n-type carrier in the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and the window
layer, resulting in reduced dark current.
[0056] In the epitaxial wafer, the maximum value of the
concentration of n-type carrier in the predetermined region of the
window layer may be higher than a maximum value of a concentration
of n-type carrier in an outside region in contact with the
predetermined region, the outside region lying in the window layer
or the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer.
Accordingly, the concentration of the carrier is increased only
around the binding surface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer and the window layer, resulting in
significantly reduced dark current.
[0057] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
epitaxial wafer comprises a substrate of group III-V semiconductor;
an absorption layer being provided on the substrate; a
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer of group III-V
semiconductor being provided in contact with the absorption layer;
and a window layer of group III-V semiconductor being provided in
contact with the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer and having a bandgap energy larger than the bandgap energy of
the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer, the
absorption layer being disposed between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer and the substrate, the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer being disposed
between the absorption layer and the window layer, a maximum value
of a concentration of donor in a predetermined region being not
less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and not more than
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, the predetermined region extending
from a binding surface between the window layer and the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer into the
window layer or the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer.
[0058] For two adjacent pixels of photo detectors, if the
concentration of carrier is less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3
or more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, a preferred pnp junction
cannot be formed between the adjacent pixels. This leads to leak
current between the adjacent pixels, resulting in increased dark
current. Moreover, in the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and the window
layer, a preferred pnp junction cannot be formed between the
adjacent pixels due to generation of the defects functioning as
holes or carrier depletion caused by discontinuity of the bands.
This leads to leak current in the adjacent pixels, resulting in
increased dark current. According to the aspect of the present
invention, the epitaxial wafer has an increased concentration of
n-type carrier on the binding surface between the window layer and
the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer, compared
with the concentration of n-type carrier in the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer and the window
layer, resulting in reduced dark current. The concentration of
carrier in such a range can be achieved by doping with donor
impurities.
[0059] In the epitaxial wafer, the maximum value of the
concentration of donor in the predetermined region of the window
layer may be higher than a maximum value of a concentration of
donor in an outside region in contact with the predetermined
region, the outside region lying in the window layer or the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer. Accordingly,
the concentration of donor is increased only around the binding
surface between the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer and the window layer, resulting in significantly reduced dark
current.
[0060] In the epitaxial wafer, the donor may be Si. The use of Si
facilitates the control of the concentration of n-type carrier or
donor. Moreover, the thickness of the predetermined region may be
not less than 0.02 .mu.m and not more than 0.2 .mu.m. The
predetermined region having a thickness of less than 0.02 .mu.m
cannot compensate for the generation of the defects functioning as
holes, or carrier depletion due to discontinuity of the bands,
which cannot reduce dark current. The predetermined region having a
thickness of more than 0.2 .mu.m causes generation of excess n-type
carriers, resulting in increased dark current.
[0061] Accordingly, the present invention provides a photo detector
and an epitaxial wafer of group III-V semiconductor that can reduce
dark current.
[0062] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention are more readily apparent from the detailed
description of the preferred embodiments set forth bellow, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0063] As described above, one aspect of the present invention
provides a group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector
comprising an absorption layer and an n-type InP window layer that
can reduce dark current, the absorption layer having a group III-V
compound semiconductor layer containing Sb as a group V constituent
element.
[0064] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of
fabricating the group III-V compound semiconductor photo
detector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0065] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a structure of a group III-V
compound semiconductor photo detector according to an
embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing major steps in the method of
fabricating the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector
according to the embodiment.
[0067] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing major steps in the method of
fabricating the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector
according to the embodiment.
[0068] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing major steps in the method of
fabricating the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector
according to the embodiment.
[0069] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing structures of two kinds of
epitaxial wafers.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the concentration of Sb in a
second InGaAs layer and an InP window layer included in two kinds
of the epitaxial wafers shown in FIG. 5, the concentration measured
by secondary ion mass spectrometry.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a structure of a photodiode
shown in Example 1.
[0072] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a relation between the
concentration of silicon, the concentration of electron or hole,
and dark current, shown in Example 1.
[0073] FIG. 9 is a drawing explaining a structure of a photo
detector according to the embodiment.
[0074] FIG. 10 is a drawing explaining the effect of the photo
detector according to the embodiment.
[0075] FIG. 11 is a drawing explaining a structure of an epitaxial
wafer according to the embodiment.
[0076] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an example and a comparative
example of the photo detector according to the embodiment.
[0077] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an example and a comparative
example of the photo detector according to the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0078] Aspects of the present invention is more readily understood
from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set
forth bellow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures
illustrated by way of example. According to the present invention,
embodiments of a III-V group compound semiconductor photo detector,
a method of fabricating the same, a photo detector, and an
epitaxial wafer are explained with reference to the accompanying
figures. Herein, like references indicate like elements.
First Embodiment
[0079] FIG. 1 illustrates a group III-V compound semiconductor
photo detector according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector
is, for example, a photodiode. FIG. 1 is depicted by an orthogonal
coordinate system S.
[0080] The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11
includes a semiconductor substrate 13, a semiconductor layer stack
15, and an anode region 17. The semiconductor layer stack 15 is
disposed on the semiconductor substrate 13, and includes an
absorption layer 21 and an InP layer 23. In the semiconductor layer
stack 15, semiconductor layers (for example, the absorption layer
21, and the InP layer 23) are deposited in the direction of the
axis Ax normal to a principal surface 13a of the semiconductor
substrate 13. The semiconductor substrate has the principal surface
13a and a rear surface 13b. The principal surface 13a includes a
first area 13c and a second area 13d, the second area 13d
surrounding the first area 13c. The absorption layer 21 is provided
on the principal surface 13a of the semiconductor substrate 13, the
absorption layer 21 being disposed between the semiconductor
substrate 13 and the InP layer 23. The absorption layer 21 includes
a group III-V compound semiconductor layer containing at least
antimony as a V group constituent element. The group III-V compound
semiconductor layer includes, for example, GaAsSb. The absorption
layer 21 may includes, for example, a bulk structure or a quantum
well structure. The group III-V compound semiconductor layer has
the bandgap energy Eabsp which is smaller than the bandgap energy
EInP of InP, so that electron-hole pairs are generated in the group
III-V compound semiconductor layer by the light incident on a
principal surface 15a of the semiconductor layer stack 15, in which
the incident light reaches the absorption layer 21 through the InP
layer 23. The absorption layer 21 has a first portion 21c and a
second portion 21d, the first portion 21c and the second portion 21
d being respectively disposed on the areas 13c, 13d. The InP layer
23 is provided on the absorption layer 21. The InP layer 23 also
has a first portion 23c and a second portion 23d, the first portion
23c and the second portion 23d being respectively disposed on the
areas 13c, 13d. The first portion 21c is disposed between the first
portion 23c and the first area 13c. The second portion 21d is
disposed between the second portion 23d and the second area 13d.
The anode region 17 is constituted by p-type semiconductor
extending from the surface of the first portion 23c of the InP
layer 23 to the absorption layer 21. The anode region 17 is doped
with p-type dopant. The p-type dopant may be, for example, zinc
(Zn).
[0081] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11,
the InP layer 23 contains antimony as impurity, and is also doped
with n-type dopant. The n-type dopant may be, for example, silicon,
or sulfur. The majority carrier of the second portion 23d of the
InP layer 23 is electron. The concentration of electron in the
second portion 23d of the InP layer 23 is not less than
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3.
[0082] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11,
the InP layer 23 grown on the absorption layer 21 contains antimony
as impurity, which is derived from remaining antimony in a reactor
after the growth of a group III-V compound semiconductor layer of
the absorption layer 21 under supply of antimony (i.e., the memory
effect). According to an investigation by the inventors, the
antimony as impurity in the InP layer 23 generates holes. The
n-type dopant in the InP layer 23 compensates for the generated
carriers, so that the majority carrier in the second portion 23d of
the InP layer 23 is electron. Since the concentration of electron
is not less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.3, the second portion 23d
of the InP layer 23 has sufficient n-type conductivity.
[0083] According to an investigation by the inventors, the
concentration of antimony in the InP layer 23 may be in a range of
not less than 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 and not more than
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. The concentration of antimony as
impurity in the InP layer 23 is within the above range, in which at
least part of the antimony impurities generate holes.
[0084] The concentration of electron in the second portion 23d of
the InP layer 23 may be not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3.
In the case where the concentration of electron in the second
portion 23d is not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, the anode
region 17 can have proper electrical properties without an increase
in p-type dopants to form the anode region. The concentration of
silicon in the InP layer 23 may be in a range of not less than
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3 and not more than 1.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3.
[0085] The absorption layer 21 may have at least one structure of a
multiple quantum well structure having an InGaAs layer and a GaAs
Sb layer, and a multiple quantum well structure having a GaInNAs
layer and a GaAs Sb layer. The group III-V compound semiconductor
layer may include a GaAsSb layer. In the photo detector 11, the
resulting absorption layer 21 has desired wavelength
sensitivity.
[0086] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11,
the semiconductor layer stack 15 may be further provided with an
InGaAs layer 25. The InGaAs layer 25 is disposed between the
absorption layer 21 and the InP layer 23. Although antimony may be
detected as impurity in the InGaAs layer 25 in some cases, the
concentration of antimony in the InP layer 23 is higher than the
concentration of antimony in the InGaAs layer 25. The InGaAs layer
25 can be used to align the anode region 17 relative to the
absorption layer 21. Although the InGaAs layer 25 may contain
antimony as impurity in some cases, the concentration of antimony
in the InP layer 23 is higher than the concentration of antimony in
the InGaAs layer 25. Thus, the InGaAs layer 25 can remain undoped.
The InGaAs layer 25 may be also thicker than the InP layer 23.
[0087] The InGaAs layer 25 has a first portion 25c disposed on the
first area 13c, and a second portion 25d on the second area 13d.
The anode region 17 includes the first portion 25c and the first
portion 23c, and is disposed on the first portion 21c. The rear
surface of the anode region 17 and the first portion 21c generate a
p-n junction 29a. The side surface of the anode region 17 and the
second portion 25d generate a p-n junction 29b. The side surface of
the anode region 17 and the second portion 23d generate a p-n
junction 29c.
[0088] In the group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11,
the semiconductor layer 15 may be further provided with another
InGaAs layer 27. The InGaAs layer 27 is disposed between the
absorption layer 21 and the semiconductor substrate 13. The InGaAs
layer 27 does not substantially contain antimony as impurity. The
bandgap energy of the InGaAs layer 27 is lager than the bandgap
energy of the group III-V compound semiconductor layer in the
absorption layer 21. The InGaAs layer 27 is doped with n-type
dopant. The n-type dopant may be, for example, silicon (Si). The
concentration of silicon in the InGaAs layer 27 may be, for
example, not less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3 and not more
than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. The InGaAs layer 27 has a first
portion 27c disposed on the first area 13c, and a second portion
27d disposed on the second area 13d. The InGaAs layer 27 is in
contact with an InP semiconductor region.
[0089] The semiconductor substrate 13 may be constituted by, for
example, InP. The InP has conductivity. If necessary, it is
feasible to provide a buffer layer on the principal surface 13a of
the semiconductor substrate 13. The buffer layer may be constituted
by, for example, InP.
[0090] The InP substrate can provide an absorption layer having a
preferred light-receiving sensitivity. Moreover, the anode region
17, and the cathode of the InP substrate can provide preferred
light-receiving properties, in which the anode region 17 is
constituted by p-type semiconductor extending from the surface of
the first portion 23c of the InP layer 23 to the absorption layer.
The absorption layer 21 can have the light-receiving sensitivity
over a wavelength range of not less than 1.0 .mu.m and not more
than 3.0 .mu.m.
[0091] The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11 can
include an anode electrode 33 in contact with the principal surface
15a of the semiconductor layer stack 15. The edge 33a of the anode
electrode 33 is disposed within an imaginary columnar surface
extending through the boundary of the first area 13c in the
direction of the normal axis Ax. The p-n junctions 29b and 29c are
disposed nearly along the imaginary columnar surface. An arbitrary
reference plane crossing the axis Ax is defined in the coordinate
system S having the Z axis on the axis Ax, the axis Ax penetrating
the middle of the anode electrode 33. On the reference plane, the
X-coordinate value and the Y-coordinate value at the edge 33a of
the anode electrode 33 are smaller than those at the boundary of
the first area 13c.
[0092] The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11 can
be further provided with a cathode electrode 35 on the rear surface
13b of the semiconductor substrate 13. The cathode electrode 35
covers the rear surface 13b of the semiconductor substrate 13, and
is in contact with the rear surface 13b.
[0093] The group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector 11 can
be further provided with an insulating layer 37 covering the
surface of the second portion 23d of the InP layer 23, the
insulating layer 37 functioning as a passivation layer. The
insulating layer 37 has an opening 37a. The opening 37a provides a
path for a contact between the anode electrode 33 and the InP layer
23. The photo detector 11 can reduce surface leak current, and dark
current attributed to a material of the window layer 23.
[0094] The edge 37b of the opening 37a on the insulating layer 37
is disposed within the imaginary columnar surface crossing the
boundary of the first area 13c in the direction of the normal axis
Ax. On the reference plane, the X-coordinate value of the edge 33a
of the anode electrode 33 can take a value between the X-coordinate
value of the edge 37b of the opening 37a on the insulating layer 37
and the X-coordinate value of the p-n junction 29b or 29c. The
Y-coordinate value of the edge 33a of the anode electrode 33 can
take a value between the Y-coordinate value of the edge 37b of the
opening 37a on the insulating layer 37 and the Y-coordinate value
of the p-n junction 29b or 29c.
[0095] FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate major steps of fabricating the group
III-V compound semiconductor photo detector, according to the
embodiment. The steps of fabricating the group III-V compound
semiconductor photo detector are explained below with reference to
FIGS. 2 to 4. In Step S101, a substrate 41 is disposed in a reactor
10a. The substrate 41 may be, for example, an InP substrate. In
Step S102, a semiconductor layer stack Epi for the group III-V
semiconductor photo detector is grown in the reactor 10a. The
following epitaxial growth is carried out by metal-organic vapor
phase epitaxy, for example. In the metal-organic vapor phase
epitaxy, TEGa, TMIn, TBAs, TBP, and TMSb can be respectively used
as gallium (Ga) source, Indium (In) source, arsenic (As) source,
phosphorous (P) source, and antimony (Sb) source. For n-type
doping, for example, TeESi can be used.
[0096] In Step S102-1, a first InGaAs layer 43 is grown on the
principal surface 41a of a substrate 41 by supplying a first source
into the reactor 10a. The first source G1 contains gallium source,
indium source, and arsenic source. The first source G1 may further
contain TeESi as n-type dopant.
[0097] As shown in Part (b) of FIG. 2, in a step S102-2, the
absorption layer 45 is grown on the principal surface 41a of the
substrate 41 by supplying a second source G2 in the reactor 10a.
The absorption layer 45 includes a group III-V compound
semiconductor layer having at least antimony as a group V element.
The bandgap energy of the group III-V compound semiconductor layer
is smaller than the bandgap energy of the InP which is grown as a
window layer in a subsequent step. In the embodiment, the second
source G2 contains, for example, gallium source, arsenic source,
and antimony source, so that a single GaAsSb layer is grown on the
principal surface of the first InGaAs layer 43. The GaAsSb layer
may be, for example, undoped, in which the majority carrier is
electron.
[0098] The absorption layer 45 may have at least one structure of a
single quantum well or a multiple quantum well structure having an
InGaAs layer and a GaAsSb layer, and a single quantum well or a
multiple quantum well structure having a GaInNAs layer and a GaAsSb
layer. In this structure, the absorption layer 45 having desired
wavelength sensitivity can be obtained. The Sb-doped group III-V
compound semiconductor layer may include a GaAsSb layer.
[0099] The absorption layer 45 may include, for example, a type-II
quantum well structure having a pair of an In.sub.xGa.sub.1-xAs
(0.38.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.68) layer and a GaAs.sub.1-ySb.sub.y
(0.36.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.62) layer, or a pair of a
Ga.sub.1-uIn.sub.uN.sub.vAs.sub.1-v (0.4.ltoreq.u.ltoreq.0.8,
0<v.ltoreq.0.2) layer and a GaAs.sub.1-zSb.sub.z
(0.36.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.62) layer.
[0100] If necessary, the fabrication process may involve a step of
interrupting the epitaxial growth while the arsenic source for
example is being supplied to a reactor after stopping supply of the
gallium source and the antimony source.
[0101] As shown in Part (a) of FIG. 3, in Step S102-3, a second
InGaAs layer 47 is grown on the absorption layer 45 by supplying a
third source G3 into the reactor 10a after stopping supply of the
antimony source into the reactor 10a. The third source G3 contains
the gallium source, the indium source, and the arsenic source. The
InGaAs layer 47 may be, for example, undoped, in which the majority
carrier is electron.
[0102] As shown in Part (b) of FIG. 3, in Step S102-4, no antimony
source is supplied into the reactor 10a. An InP layer 49 having
n-type conductivity is grown on the absorption layer 45 and on the
second InGaAs layer 47 by supplying a fourth source G4 into the
reactor 10a. The fourth source G4 contains, for example, the n-type
dopant, the indium source, and the phosphorous source.
[0103] The InP layer 49 contains n-type dopant (for example,
silicon), and antimony as impurity. In the InP layer 49, the
majority carrier is electron. The concentration of electron in the
InP layer 49 is not less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3.
[0104] Through these steps, an epitaxial wafer E is prepared. In
Step S103, after the InP layer 49 is formed on the substrate 41,
the epitaxial wafer E is brought out from the reactor 10a.
[0105] In Step S104, an anode region 51 of p-type semiconductor is
formed on the epitaxial wafer E. In the embodiment, the anode
region 51 is formed by introducing p-type dopant. The p-type dopant
is introduced, for example, by thermal diffusion. After the
epitaxial wafer E is brought out from the reactor 10a, an
insulating layer 53 is formed on the epitaxial wafer E. The
insulating layer 53 has an opening 53a provided above the position
of the anode region 51. Thus, the anode region 51 extending into
the absorption layer 45 is formed by introducing p-type dopant from
the surface 49a of the InP layer 49 under zinc source atmosphere in
a heat treatment unit 10b. In the heat treatment, the Zn introduced
through the opening 53a diffuses in the lateral direction and
toward the substrate. As a result, the anode region 51 also spreads
below the insulating layer 53. In this step, a substrate product P
is prepared. If necessary, the thickness of the InGaAs layer 47 can
be determined so as to align the anode region 51 relative to the
absorption layer 45, during the formation of the anode region
51.
[0106] In Step S105, an electrode is formed on the substrate
product P. For example, an anode electrode 55 is formed in contact
with the anode region 51, and a cathode electrode 57 is formed in
contact with the rear surface of the substrate 41.
[0107] According to the method, although the InP layer 49 is grown
on the absorption layer 45 without supplying antimony into the
reactor 10a, the InP layer 49 contains antimony as impurity, which
is derived from remaining antimony in the reactor 10a after the
growth of the Sb-doped group III-V compound semiconductor layer of
the absorption layer 45 (i.e., the memory effect). According to an
investigation by the inventors, the antimony as impurity in the InP
layer 49 generates holes. The n-type dopant doped in the InP layer
49 compensates for the generated carriers, so that in the InP layer
49 the majority carrier is electron. Since the concentration of
electron is not less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, the InP
layer 49 has sufficient n-type conductivity. The concentration of
electron in the InP layer 49 may be not more than 1.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3. In this case, the anode region 51 can have proper
electrical properties without an increase in p-type dopants to form
the anode region 51.
[0108] According to an estimation by the inventors, the
concentration of antimony in the InP layer 49 is in a range of not
less than 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 and not more than
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. The concentration of antimony as
impurity in the InP layer 49 is within the above range, in which
part of the antimony impurities generate holes.
[0109] The InGaAs layer 47 also contains antimony as impurity, in
which the concentration of antimony in the InGaAs layer 47 is lower
than the concentration of antimony in the InP layer 49. Although
the InGaAs layer 47 contains antimony as impurity, the
concentration of antimony in the InP layer 49 is higher than the
concentration of antimony in the InGaAs layer 47. Hence, the InGaAs
layer 47 can remain undoped. If necessary, the InGaAs layer 47 may
be doped with a slight amount of n-type dopants.
[0110] As described above, the layer stack from the absorption
layer 45 to the InP layer 49 is grown by metal-organic vapor phase
epitaxy. According to the method, although the absorption layer 45
and the InP layer 49 can have preferred properties, the memory
effect with antimony is inevitable during the growth of InP.
However, according to the investigation by the inventors, the
disadvantage of formation of a p-type semiconductor due to the
memory effect with antimony can be avoided by doping of the InP
layer with n-type dopant.
[0111] FIG. 5 illustrates two structures of epitaxial wafers. In
Part (a) of FIG. 5, the epitaxial wafer has a multiple quantum well
structure having an InGaAs layer and a GaAsSb layer as an
absorption layer. In Part (b) of FIG. 5, the epitaxial wafer has a
GaAsSb layer as an absorption layer. FIG. 6 shows the Sb
concentrations measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry in a
second InGaAs layer and an InP window layer for the two structures
of the epitaxial wafers shown in FIG. 5. Referring to Part (a) of
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the InP window layer in the structure A contains
antimony in an amount of about 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3. In
contrast, in the second InGaAs layer disposed between the GaAsSb
absorption layer and the InP window layer, the concentration of
antimony is less than 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, which is below
the detection limit of the secondary ion mass spectrometry. For the
structure A, through the C-V measurement of carriers, the measured
concentration of hole in the InP window layer is 1.times.10.sup.16
cm.sup.-3. Referring to Part (b) of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the InP
window layer in the structure B contains antimony in an amount of
about 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. In contrast, in the second
InGaAs layer disposed between the GaAsSb absorption layer and the
InP window layer, the concentration of antimony is less than
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, which is below the detection limit of
the secondary ion mass spectrometry. For the structure B, through
the C-V measurement of carriers, the measured concentration of hole
in the InP window layer is 2.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3. As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the profile of the Sb concentration falls once in
the second InGaAs layer, but rises again in the InP layer during
the growth of the InP layer after growing the InGaAs layer.
Example 1
[0112] A photodiode depicted in FIG. 7 was fabricated. An n-type
InP substrate was prepared. An n-type InP buffer layer was grown on
the InP substrate heated at 500.degree. C. by supplying TMIn
(trimethylindium) and TBP (tert-butylphosphine) into a reactor. The
buffer layer was 10 nm thick, for example, and was doped with
n-type dopant by using TeESi. An n-type InGaAs layer was then grown
on the n-type InP buffer layer at 500.degree. C. by supplying TMIn
(trimethylindium), TEGa (triethylgallium), and TBA
(tert-butylarsine) into the reactor. The InGaAs layer was 150 nm
thick, for example. Subsequently, an absorption layer having a
multiple quantum well structure was formed. In Example 1, the
absorption layer had a multiple quantum well structure of
InGaAs/GaAsSb. A unit quantum well structure was constituted by a 5
nm thick InGaAs layer and a 5 nm thick GaAsSb layer, in which 50
pairs (the number of the repeated unit quantum wells) of the unit
quantum well structure were grown in the multiple quantum well
structure. TMSb was used as Sb source. A 1 .mu.m thick InGaAs layer
was then grown on the absorption layer at 500.degree. C. The InGaAs
layer functioned as a diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer during the introduction of Zn by
diffusion. Finally, a 1 .mu.m thick n-type InP window layer was
grown at 500.degree. C. The n-type InP window layer was doped with
silicon. As shown in FIG. 8, photodiodes A2 to A7 (Examples A2 to
A7) were fabricated with different concentrations of silicon in the
n-type InP window layers. Instead of the photodiodes having the
silicon-doped n-type InP window layers, a photodiode A1 having an
undoped InP window layer was also fabricated, in which neither
silicon nor any other dopant was intentionally introduced. In
Examples A1 to A7, the concentrations of silicon were measured by
secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The type of the carrier, and the
concentration of electron or hole were measured through the C-V
measurement. In Examples A2 to A7, the concentration of silicon
ranged from 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 to 5.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3. In Example A1, the concentration of silicon was less
than 1.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3, which was below the detection
limit of secondary ion mass spectrometry. In Examples A1 and A2,
the carrier was of p-type. The concentration of hole was
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3 in Example A1, and 5.times.10.sup.15
cm.sup.-3 in Example A2. In contrast, in Examples A3 to A7, the
carrier was of n-type. The concentration of electron was
5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 in Example A3, 1.times.10.sup.16
cm.sup.-3 in Example A4, 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 in Example A5,
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3 in Example A6, and 5.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3 in Example A7.
[0113] In Examples A1 to A7, an SiN layer was grown on the surface
of the InP window layer, and then an opening was formed by
patterning the SiN layer. After this, through the opening, Zn was
selectively diffused to form a p-type region which extended toward
the inside of the absorption layer of an InGaAs/GaAsSb multiple
quantum well structure. Subsequent to the formation of the anode
region by the selective diffusion of Zn, a p-side electrode of AuZn
was formed on the surface of the InP window layer, and an n-side
electrode of AuGeNi on the rear surface of the substrate.
[0114] In another example, instead of the InGaAs/GaAsSb absorption
layer, an absorption layer of a GaInNAs/GaAsSb multiple quantum
well structure was formed. The unit quantum well structure was
constituted by a 5 nm thick GaInNAs layer and a 5 nm thick GaAsSb
layer, in which 50 pairs (the number of the repeated unit quantum
wells) of the unit quantum well were grown. TMSb was used as Sb
source.
[0115] The reverse current-voltage characteristics in the
fabricated photodiodes were investigated at room temperature. The
photodiodes have light-receiving areas of 100 .mu.m diameters. In
Examples A1 and A2, the photodiodes had leak current of 20 .mu.A at
room temperature under an applied voltage of -5 V. In Example A3,
the photodiode had leak current of 10 .mu.A at room temperature
under an applied voltage of -5 V. In contrast, in Examples A4 to
A6, the photodiodes had leak current of 2 .mu.A at room temperature
under an applied voltage of -5 V. In Example 7, the photodiode had
leak current of 200 .mu.A at room temperature under an applied
voltage of -5 V. Accordingly, the dark current was reduced by about
one order of magnitude by doping of the InP window layers with
silicon as n-type dopant (the electron concentrations ranged from
1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3 to 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3).
Second Embodiment
[0116] In recent years, a number of researches on group III-V based
compound semiconductors containing InP substrates have been carried
out because the group III-V based compound semiconductors have a
bandgap energy corresponding to the frequency range in the
near-infrared. A nonpatent literature (R. Sidhu, "Long-wavelength
Photo detector on InP Using Lattice-Matched GaInAs-GaAsSb Type-II
Quantum Wells", IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 17, No. 12,
(2005) pp. 2715-2717) discloses a photodiode having a cutoff
wavelength of 2.39 .mu.m, in which an absorption layer of a type-II
InGaAs-GaAsSb quantum well structure is formed on an InP substrate,
and a p-n junction is formed in a p-type or n-type epitaxial layer.
This nonpatent literature (Nonpatent Literature 2) also proposes a
photodiode having a cutoff wavelength ranging from 2 .mu.m to 5
.mu.m, in which a strain-compensated InGaAs--GaAsSb quantum well
structure is formed because the strain-compensated structure is
needed to achieve such longer cutoff wavelengths. However, in
Nonpatent Literature 2, since an electrode and a passivation layer
are formed on an InGaAs layer, generation of relatively large dark
current is predicted. In particular, technologies for forming a
passivation layer on a crystalline surface of InGaAs have not been
developed enough to reduce dark current. The second embodiment of
the present invention provides a photo detector of group III-V
semiconductor having reduced dark current, and an epitaxial wafer
of group III-V semiconductor having reduced dark current.
[0117] FIG. 9 illustrates a structure of a photo detector 1_1
according to the second embodiment. The photo detector 1_1 is
provided with a substrate 1_3, a semiconductor layer 1_5, an
absorption layer 1_7, a diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9, a window layer 1_11, an
insulating layer 1_13, a p-type electrode 1_15, and an n-type
electrode 1_17. The semiconductor layer 1_5 is formed on a buffer
layer of n-type InP (not shown) overlying the substrate 1_3. The
buffer layer is in contact with the rear surface of the
semiconductor layer 1_5.
[0118] The absorption layer 7 is formed on the surface of the
semiconductor layer 1_5, and the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 is disposed on the absorption
layer 1_7. The rear surface of the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 is in contact with the absorption
layer 1_7. The absorption layer 1_7 is disposed between the
semiconductor layer 1_5 and the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 (i.e., the absorption layer 1_7 is
disposed between the substrate 1_3 and the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9). The absorption layer 1_7 has a
multiple quantum well structure, in which quantum well layers and
barrier layers are stacked alternately.
[0119] The diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9
is disposed between the absorption layer 1_7 and the window layer
1_11. The window layer 1_11 is disposed on the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9, and the
rear surface of the window layer 1_11 is in contact with the
surface of the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer
1_9. The insulating layer 1_13 is disposed on the surface of the
window layer 1_11, and has an opening The p-type electrode 1_15 is
disposed on the surface of the window layer 1_11, and is in contact
with the surface of the window layer 1_11.
[0120] A semiconductor region of the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 and the window layer 1_11 has a
second region 1_19 and a first region 1_21. The first region 1_21
has a surface in contact with the second region 1_19. The first
region 1_21 is an impurity diffusive region 1_25 having (doped
with) a predetermined impurity element (Zn in the embodiment).
[0121] The p-type electrode 1_15 is disposed in the opening of the
insulating layer 1_13. The contact between the p-type electrode
1_15 and the window layer 1_11 is ohmic The n-type electrode 1_17
is disposed on the rear surface of the substrate 1_3, and is in
contact with this rear surface. The contact between the n-type
electrode 1_17 and the substrate 1_3 is ohmic
[0122] The substrate 1_3 is constituted by group III-V
semiconductor, InP. The substrate 1_3 is S-doped, and has n-type
conductivity. The buffer layer (not shown) on the substrate 1_3 is
constituted by n-type InP, and is about 10 nm thick. The
semiconductor layer 1_5 is constituted by n-type InGaAs, and is
about 150 nm thick. The absorption layer 1_7 has a type-II multiple
quantum well structure, in which InGaAs layers and GaAsSb layers
are stacked alternately. The absorption layer 1_7 includes, for
example, 50 pairs of layers, each pair being constituted by an
InGaAs layer and a GaAsSb layer. The InGaAs layer is about 5 nm
thick, and the GaAsSb layer is about 5 nm thick. The compositions
of the InGaAs layer and the GaAsSb layer in the absorption layer
1_7 are In.sub.xGa.sub.1-xAs (0.38.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.68) and
GaAs.sub.1-ySb.sub.y (0.3.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.62), respectively. The
absorption layer 1_7 may include 50 pairs of layers, each pair
being constituted by a Ga.sub.1-tIn.sub.tN.sub.uAs.sub.1-u
(0.4.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.0.8, 0<u.ltoreq.0.2) layer and a
GaAs.sub.1-vSb.sub.v, (0.36.ltoreq.v.ltoreq.0.62) layer.
[0123] The diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9
is constituted by group III-V semiconductor, InGaAs, and is about
1.0 .mu.m thick. The diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer 1_9 is undoped.
[0124] The window layer 1_11 is constituted by group III-V
semiconductor, InP, and is about 0.8 .mu.m thick. The window layer
1_11 has a bandgap energy larger than the bandgap energy of the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9. The
window layer 1_11 is doped with an n-type dopant, Si. A portion of
the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9
included in the first region 1_21, and a portion of the window
layer 1_11 included in the first region 1_21 have p-type
conductivity, while a portion of the window layer 1_11 included in
the second region 1_19 has n-type conductivity. The conductivity of
the second region 1_19 is different from the conductivity of the
first region 1_21. In a predetermined region 1_26 extending from
the binding surface between the window layer 1_11 and the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 (i.e., the
rear surface of the window layer 1_11, the surface of the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9, or the
interface between the window layer 1_11 and the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9) into at
least the window layer 1_11, the concentration of n-type carrier or
donor (Si) is in a range of not less than 5.times.10.sup.15
cm.sup.-3 and not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.3. The region
1_26, which extends into the window layer 1_11 alone in FIG. 9, can
also extend into the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer 1_9. The thickness L of the region 1_26 (the width of the
region 1_26 extending from the binding surface between the window
layer 1_11 and the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer 1_9 into the window layer 1_11 or into the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9)
approximately ranges from 0.02 .mu.m to 0.2 .mu.m. The region 1_26
having a thickness of less than 0.02 .mu.m cannot compensate for
the generation of the defects functioning as holes and the
depletion of carriers due to discontinuity of the bands, which
cannot reduce dark current. The region 1_26 having a thickness of
more than 0.2 .mu.m causes generation of excess n-type carriers,
resulting in increased dark current.
[0125] The method of fabricating the photo detector 1_1 are
described below. TEGa, TMIn, TBAs, TBP, and TMSb are respectively
used as sources of Ga, In, As, P, and Sb. TeESi is also used for
doping with n-type dopant. First, the epitaxial wafer 1_27 shown in
FIG. 11 is fabricated by MOVPE. An S-doped substrate 1_3b is
prepared. A 10 nm buffer layer (not shown) of n-type doped InP is
grown on the S-doped substrate 1_3b, and then a 0.15 .mu.m
semiconductor layer 1_5b of n-type doped InGaAs is grown on this
buffer layer. An absorption layer 1_7b including a type-II multiple
quantum well structure of InGaAs-GaAsSb is grown on the
semiconductor layer 1_5b. The multiple quantum well structure has
50 pairs of layers, each pair being constituted by a 5 nm thick
undoped InGaAs layer and a 5 nm thick undoped GaAsSb layer, in
which the undoped InGaAs layers and the undoped GaAsSb layers are
stacked alternately on the substrate. All the layers from the
buffer layer to the absorption layer are epitaxially grown at
500.degree. C. In the epitaxial growth of all the layers from the
buffer layer to the absorption layer, TEGa, TBAs, and TMSb are used
as source gases for the growth of GaAsSb. TEGa, TMIn, and TBAs are
used for the growth of InGaAs. TMIn and TBP are used for the growth
of InP.
[0126] Subsequently, the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9b of InGaAs is grown on the
absorption layer 1_7b at 500.degree. C., and then the window layer
1_11 of InP is grown on the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9b. During the growths of the 0.05
.mu.m thick region extending from the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9b and the
window layer 1_11b into the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9b, and the 0.05 .mu.m thick region
extending from the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9b and the
window layer 1_11b into the window layer 1_11b, the supply of TeESi
is adjusted such that these regions can have one of the
concentrations of n-type carrier which are described below in
Examples A8 to A11.
[0127] After the fabrication of the epitaxial wafer 1_27 as
described above, the photo detector 1_1 is fabricated using the
epitaxial wafer 1_27. A p-type region (corresponds to an impurity
diffusive region 1_25 in the photo detector 1_1) extending from the
surface of the window layer 1_11b toward the rear surface of the
absorption layer 1_7b is formed by selectively diffusing Zn as
p-type impurity through an opening of a selective-diffusion mask
pattern in a SiN layer. The p-type electrode 1_15 of AuZn is
disposed on the surface of the window layer 1_11b included in the
p-type region, and the n-type electrode 1_17 of AuGeNi is disposed
on the rear surface of the substrate 1_3b, such that these
electrodes have ohmic contact. A SiON layer as an antireflective
layer is further disposed on the rear surface of the substrate 13b
in order to prevent reflection on the rear surface (adjacent to the
substrate 1_3b) of the substrate 1_27 and thus to reduce, for
example, crosstalk in the case where the incident surface is the
surface (adjacent to the window layer 1_11b) of the epitaxial wafer
1_27. As described above, the photo detector 1_1 is fabricated
using the epitaxial wafer 1_27. In the case where the incident
surface is the rear surface (adjacent to the substrate 1_3) of the
epitaxial wafer 1_27, the n-type electrode 1_17 is formed into a
ring or frame shape, and then provided with an antireflective layer
of SiON in the middle of the ring or frame, so that the entrance
efficiency of the light to be measured is improved.
[0128] The substrate 1_3 of the photo detector 1_1 is a portion of
the substrate 1_3b of the epitaxial wafer 1_27. The semiconductor
layer 1_5 of the photo detector 1_1 is a portion of the
semiconductor layer 1_5b of the epitaxial wafer 1_27. The
absorption layer 1_7 of the photo detector 1_1 is a portion of the
absorption layer 1_7b of the epitaxial wafer 1_27. The
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 of the
photo detector 1_1 is a portion of the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9b of the epitaxial wafer 1_27. The
window layer 1_11 of the photo detector 1_1 is a portion of the
window layer 1_11b of the epitaxial wafer 1_27.
[0129] FIGS. 12 and 13 show the concentrations of n-type carrier
and donor in Examples A8 to A11, and Comparative Examples 1 to 3
relative to Examples A8 to A11. Part (a) of FIG. 10 shows a
structure of a photo detector 1_1a in Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
The photo detector 1_1a is provided with a substrate 1_3a, a
semiconductor layer 1_5a, an absorption layer 1_7a, a
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a, a window
layer 1_11a, a p-type electrode 1_15a, an n-type electrode 1_17a,
and an impurity diffusive region 1_25a, which respectively
correspond to the substrate 1_3, the semiconductor layer 1_5, the
absorption layer 1_7, the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9, the window layer 1_11, the p-type
electrode 1_15, the n-type electrode 1_17, and the impurity
diffusive region 1_25a in the photo detector 1_1. The photo
detector 1_1a also has a region 1_26a (not shown) corresponding to
the region 1_26 of the photo detector 1_1.
[0130] FIG. 12 shows the measured maximum concentrations of n-type
carrier in the window layer 1_11 or 1_11a, the measured maximum
concentration of n-type carrier in the region 1_26 (the region
extending from the binding surface between the window layer 1_11
and the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9
into the window layer 1_11 by 0.1 .mu.m and into the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 by 0.1
.mu.m), the measured maximum concentration of n-type carrier in the
region 1_26a (the region extending from the binding surface between
the window layer 1_11a and the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a into the window layer 1_11a by
0.1 .mu.m and into the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a by 0.1 .mu.m), and the measured
maximum concentration of n-type carrier in the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 or 1_9a,
in Examples A8 to A11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3. FIG. 12 also
shows values of dark current (corresponding to the values for a
light entrance diameter of 15 .mu.m.phi.)) measured with a voltage
of -5 V applied, in Examples A8 to A11 and Comparative Examples 1
to 3. The concentrations of n-type carrier shown in FIG. 12 are the
values measured in the region that is constituted by the window
layer 1_11 and the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer 1_9 excluding the impurity diffusive region 1_25, and the
values measured in the region that is constituted by the window
layer 1_11a and the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting
layer 1_9a excluding the impurity diffusive region 1_25a.
[0131] FIG. 13 shows the concentrations of donor in Examples A8 to
A11, and in Comparative Examples 1 to 3. FIG. 13 shows the measured
maximum concentrations of donor in the window layer 1_11 or 1_11a,
the measured maximum concentration of donor in the region 1_26 (the
region extending from the binding surface between the window layer
1_11 and the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer
1_9 into the window layer 1_11 by 0.1 .mu.m and into the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 by 0.1
.mu.m), the measured maximum concentration of donor in the region
1_26a (the region extending from the binding surface between the
window layer 1_11a and the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a into the window layer 1_11a by
0.1 .mu.m and into the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a by 0.1 .mu.m), and the measured
maximum concentration of donor in the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 or 1_9a, in Examples A8 to A11and
Comparative Examples 1 to 3. FIG. 13 also shows values of dark
current (corresponding to the values for a light entrance diameter
of 15 .mu.m.phi.) measured with a voltage of -5 V applied, in
Examples A8 to A11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
[0132] In the photo detector 1_1 (Examples A8 to A11) having the
structure described above, the maximum concentration of n-type
carrier at the binding surface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 and the window layer 1_11 (i.e.,
the concentration of n-type carrier in the region 1_26) is in a
range of not less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and not more
than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, and is higher than the
concentration of n-type carrier in the region around the binding
surface (i.e., around the region 1_26). The maximum concentration
of donor at the binding surface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9 and the window layer 1_11 (i.e.,
the concentration of donor in the region 1_26) is in a range of not
less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and not more than
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.3, and is also higher than the
concentration of donor in the region around the binding surface
(i.e., around the region 1_26).
[0133] In contrast, in the photo detector 1_1a of Comparative
Example 1, the maximum concentration of n-type carrier at the
binding surface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a and the window layer 1_1_la
(i.e., in the region 1_26a) is equal to or lower than the
concentration of n-type carrier in the region around the binding
surface (i.e., around the region 1_26a). The concentration of donor
at the binding surface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a and the window layer 1_11a (i.e.,
the concentration of donor in the region 1_26a) is also equal to or
lower than the concentration of donor in the region around the
binding surface (i.e., around the region 1_26a). This can generate,
for example, carrier depletion or the defects 1_31 functioning as
holes (p-type conductivity) at the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a and the
window layer 1_11a (in the region 1_26a), resulting in increased
dark current.
[0134] In the photo detectors 1_1a of Comparative Examples 2 and 3,
the maximum concentration of n-type carrier at the binding surface
between the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer
1_9a and the window layer 1_11a (i.e., in the region 1_26a) is
outside of a range of not less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and
not more than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. The concentration of
donor at the binding surface between the diffusive-concentration
distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a and the window layer 1_11a (i.e.,
the concentration of donor in the region 1_26a) is also outside of
a range of not less than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and not more
than 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. This can generate, for example,
carrier depletion or the defects 1_31 functioning as holes (p-type
conductivity) at the binding surface between the
diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer 1_9a and the
window layer 1_11a (in the region 1_26a), resulting in increased
dark current.
[0135] Accordingly, in the adjacent photo detectors 1_1a, leakage
of dark current can occur between the adjacent photo detectors
1_1a. In contrast, in the adjacent photo detectors 1_1, since the
concentrations of n-type carrier and donor (Si) are relatively high
(higher than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3) at the binding surface
between the diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer
1_9 and the window layer 1_11 (i.e., in the region 1_26), p-type
conductivity can be prevented, resulting in reduced dark current,
while p-type conductivity occurs in the photo detector 1_1a.
Therefore, as shown in Part (b) of FIG. 10, in the photo detector
1_1 according to the second embodiment, a pnp junction is formed at
the interface between two adjacent photo detectors 1, so that leak
current generated in one of two adjacent photo detectors 1_1 (in
the lateral direction) can be reduced.
[0136] The principles of the present invention have been described
with reference to preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.
However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
configurations and details of the embodiments can be modified
without departing from the principles of the present invention. The
present invention is not limited by the configurations disclosed in
the embodiments. Hence, this application claims rights in the scope
of the claims of the invention, and all variations and
modifications derived from the scopes and spirits of the
invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0137] The present invention provides a photo detector of group
III-V semiconductor having an absorption layer and an n-type InP
window layer, the absorption layer including a group III-V compound
semiconductor layer doped with Sb as a group V constituent element,
the photo detector generating reduced dark current in the cutoff
wavelength of not less than 2 .mu.m and not more than 3 .mu.m.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0138] 11: group III-V compound semiconductor photo detector;
[0139] 13: semiconductor substrate; [0140] 13a: principal surface
of the semiconductor substrate; [0141] 13b: rear surface of the
semiconductor substrate; [0142] 13c, 13d: area of the principal
surface of the semiconductor substrate; [0143] 15: semiconductor
layer stack; [0144] 15a: principal surface of the semiconductor
layer stack; [0145] 17: anode region; [0146] 21: absorption layer;
[0147] 21c, 21d: portion of the absorption layer; [0148] 23: InP
layer; [0149] 23c, 23d: portion of the InP layer; [0150] 25: InGaAs
layer; [0151] 25c, 25d: portion of the InGaAs layer; [0152] 29a,
29b, 29c: p-n junction; [0153] 27: InGaAs layer; [0154] 27c, 27d:
portion of the InGaAs layer; [0155] 33: anode electrode; [0156] 35:
cathode electrode; [0157] 37: insulating layer; [0158] 1_1, 1_1a:
photo detector; [0159] 1_11, 1_11a, 1_11b: window layer; [0160]
1_13: insulating layer; [0161] 1_15, 1_15a: p-type electrode;
[0162] 1_17, 1_17a: n-type electrode; [0163] 1_19: second region;
[0164] 1_21: first region; [0165] 1_25, 1_25a: impurity diffusive
region; [0166] 1_26: region; [0167] 1_27: epitaxial wafer; [0168]
1_3, 1_3a, 1_3b: substrate [0169] 1_5, 1_5a, 1_5b: semiconductor
layer; [0170] 1_7, 1_7a, 1_7b: absorption layer; [0171] 1_9, 1_9a,
1_9b: diffusive-concentration distribution-adjusting layer.
* * * * *