Patent ID: 8124957
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A low resistance tunnel junction structure, comprising: first and second semiconductor layers, said first layer being degenerately doped n-type such that its Fermi level is located in or near its conduction band, and said second layer being degenerately doped p-type such that its Fermi level is located in or near its valence band; a metal contact forming a junction with one of said first layer or second layer, and a substrate forming a junction with the other one of said first layer or second layer; a third semiconductor layer having a dissimilar composition from said first and second layers sandwiched between, in contact with and forming first and second heterojunction contacts with said first and second layers respectively; and said first, second and third layers establishing a tunnel junction and having an associated natural polarization dipole that aligns said first layer's conduction band to said second layer's valence band so that the tunnel junction width is smaller than it would be in the absence of said third layer.