# Patent

## Title
Semiconductor structure having sets of III-V compound layers and method of forming the same

## Abstract

A semiconductor structure includes a substrate; and a graded III-V layer over the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a p-doped gallium nitride (GaN) layer over the graded III-V layer. The semiconductor structure further includes one or more sets of GaN layers over the p-doped GaN layer. Each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers includes a lower GaN layer, wherein the lower GaN layer is undoped, unintentionally doped having N-type doping, or N-type doped. Each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers includes an upper GaN layer on the lower GaN layer, wherein the upper GaN layer is P-type doped. The semiconductor structure includes a second GaN layer over the one or more sets of GaN layers, the second GaN layer being either undoped or unintentionally doped having the N-type doping. The semiconductor structure includes an active layer over the second GaN layer.

## Background
PRIORITY CLAIM
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/743,045, filed Jan. 16, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.


BACKGROUND
In many semiconductor integrated circuits, Group III-Group V compounds (in the periodic table of elements), or III-V compounds, are used to form various electrical devices, such as high power field-effect transistors, high frequency transistors, high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), or metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MISFETs). One example of III-V compounds used in semiconductor integrated circuits is gallium nitride (GaN). In many applications, the electrical devices are formed on a buffer layer, which is intended to be an undoped III-V compound layer. However, because of the presence of oxygen, silicon, and/or other impurity elements in the processing chamber for forming the buffer layer, the buffer layer usually becomes an unintentionally doped III-V compound layer having N-type doping. Thus, compared with the undoped version, the unintentionally doped buffer layer potentially provides a relatively low resistance path for leakage currents.



DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout and wherein:
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor structure including a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) in accordance with some embodiments;
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor structure including a metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MISFET) in accordance with some embodiments;
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of forming a HEMT or a MISFET in accordance with one or more embodiments;
FIGS. 3A-3F are cross-sectional views of a semiconductor structure including a HEMT in various manufacturing stages in accordance with one or more embodiments; and
FIG. 3G, in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3E, is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor structure including a HEMT in accordance with one or more embodiments.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It is understood that the following disclosure provides one or more different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the disclosure. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, examples and are not intended to be limiting. In accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features in the drawings are not drawn to scale and are used for illustration purposes only.
Moreover, spatially relative terms, for example, “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” etc. as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) are used for ease of the present disclosure of one features relationship to another feature. The spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device including the features.
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor structure 100A including an HEMT 102 in accordance with some embodiments. The semiconductor structure 100A includes a substrate 110. In some embodiments, the substrate 110 includes a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate, sapphire substrate, or a silicon substrate. The semiconductor structure 100A further includes a nucleation layer 120 over the substrate, a transition layer 130 over the nucleation layer, a buffer layer 140 over the transition layer, an active layer 150 over the buffer layer, a source electrode 162 and a drain electrode 164 over the buffer layer, and a gate electrode over the active layer. The buffer layer 140 includes III-V compound layers 142, 144a, 144b, 146a, 146b, and 148 stacked one over another. III-V compound layers 144a and 144b are collectively referred to as a set of III-V compound layers 144, and III-V compound layers 146a and 146b are collectively referred to as another set of III-V compound layers 146.
Nucleation layer 120 has a lattice structure and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) suitable for bridging the lattice mismatch and TEC mismatch between the substrate 110 and the buffer layer 140. In some embodiments, nucleation layer 120 has aluminum nitride (AlN). In some embodiments, nucleation layer 120 has a thickness ranging from 150 to 300 nanometers (nm). Transition layer 130 further facilitates gradual changes of lattice structures and TECs between the nucleation layer 120 and the buffer layer 140. In some embodiments, when the III-V compound layers 142, 144a, 144b, 146a, 146b, and 148 include gallium nitride (GaN), the transition layer 130 is a graded aluminum-gallium nitride (AlxGa(1-x)N, x is the aluminum content ratio in the aluminum-gallium constituent) layer. In some embodiments, the graded aluminum gallium nitride layer includes multiple layers each having a decreased ratio x (from a layer adjoining the nucleation layer 120 to that adjoin the buffer layer 140, or from the bottom to the top portions of the graded aluminum gallium nitride layer). In at least one embodiment, the graded aluminum gallium nitride layer has four layers whose ratios x are 0.75, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.1, from the bottom to the top. In some embodiments, instead of having multiple layers, the graded aluminum gallium nitride layer has a continuous gradient of the ratio x. In some embodiments, transition layer 130 has a thickness ranging from 500 to 1000 nm.
In some embodiments, nucleation layer 120 and/or transition layer 130 are omitted, and thus the III-V compound layer 142 is directly on the substrate 110.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A, III-V compound layers 142, 144b, and 146b have P-type doping, and III-V compound layers 144a and 146a have N-type doping. Moreover, buffer layer 140 provides an undoped or unintentionally doped III-V compound layer (e.g., the second III-V layer 148) on which the HEMT 102 is formed. Because, in some application, the second III-V layer 148 is unintentionally doped and has N-type doping, the buffer layer 140 includes three P-N junctions between layers 142 and 144a, 144b and 146a, and 146b and 148. When the substrate 110 is biased to a supply voltage lower than the voltages at the electrodes 162, 164, and 166 of the HEMT 102, the P-N junctions 142/144a, 144b/146a, and 146b/148 are reversed-biased. Therefore, compared with the a configuration where a buffer layer includes only a single undoped or unintentionally doped III-V compound layer, buffer layer 140 provides a relatively high resistance path for leakage currents by having reversed-biased PN junctions.
In some embodiments, the III-V compound layer 144a is at least one of undoped, unintentionally doped having N-type doping, or doped having the N-type doping. In some embodiments, the III-V compound layer 146a is at least one of undoped, unintentionally doped having N-type doping, or doped having the N-type doping. In some embodiments, the second III-V compound layer 148 is either undoped or unintentionally doped having the N-type doping.
In some embodiments, layer 144a (N-type doping) is configured to cause a depletion region formed within layer 142 (P-type doping), and a thickness of layer 142 is set to be sufficient to prevent the depletion region from extending through the entire thickness of the layer 142. In some embodiments, III-V compound layer 142 comprises GaN and has a thickness greater than 0.15 micrometers (μm). In some embodiments, III-V compound layer 142 comprises GaN and has a doping concentration greater than 1.0×1019 atoms/cm3.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A, two sets (144 and 146) of III-V compound layers are depicted. Each of the two sets of layers includes a lower layer 144a or 146a having N-type doping and an upper layer 144b and 146b having P-type doping. In some embodiments, there are more or less than two sets of III-V compound layers. In some embodiments, the number of sets of III-V compound layers ranges from 1 to 200.
In some embodiments, III-V compound layer 146a is configured to cause a depletion region formed within III-V compound layer 144b, and a thickness of layer 144b is set to be sufficient to prevent the depletion region from extending through the entire thickness of layer 144b. In some embodiments, III-V compound layer 148 is configured to cause a depletion region formed within III-V compound layer 146b, and a thickness of layer 146b is set to be sufficient to prevent the depletion region from extending through the entire thickness of layer 146b. In some embodiments, in one of the one or more sets of III-V compound layers, the upper III-V compound layer 144b or 146b has a thickness no less than that of the corresponding layer 146a or 148 immediately thereon. In some embodiments, each of the layers 144a, 144b, 146a, or 146b has a thickness ranging from 0.05 μm to 0.1 μm.
In some embodiments, III-V compound layers 144a and 146a comprise GaN and have a doping concentration no greater than 1.0×1017 atoms/cm3. In some embodiments, III-V compound layers 144b and 146b comprise GaN and have a doping concentration ranging from 1.0×1015 to 1.0×1019 atoms/cm3. In some embodiments, all sets of III-V compound layers 144 and 146 have a same configuration. In some embodiments, not all sets of III-V compound layers 144 and 146 have the same configuration.
According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the HEMT 102 includes the heterojunction formed between two different semiconductor material layers, such as the active layer 150 and III-V layer 148. The band gap discontinuity exists between the active layer 150 and the III-V compound layer 148. The electrons from a piezoelectric effect in the active layer 150 drop into the III-V compound layer 148, and thus create a thin layer of highly mobile conducting electrons in the III-V compound layer 148. This thin layer is also referred to as a two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) layer. The 2-DEG layer is formed within the III-V compound layer 148 near an interface of the active layer 150 and the III-V compound layer 148, and between the electrodes 162 and 164. The 2-DEG layer is used as a channel of the HEMT 102. In some embodiments, the channel has high electron mobility because the III-V compound layer 148 is undoped or unintentionally doped, and the electrons can move freely without collision or with substantially reduced collisions with impurities. The active layer 150 is also known as a donor-supply layer, and the III-V layer 148 is also known as a channel layer.
In some embodiments, the channel layer and the donor-supply layer are compounds made from the III-V groups in the periodic table of elements. In some embodiments, the channel layer and the donor-supply layer are different from each other in composition. In some embodiments, the III-V compound layer 148 is undoped or unintentionally doped. In some embodiments, the active layer 150 is intentionally doped. In some embodiments when III-V layer 148 comprises GaN, active layer 150 comprises AlN, AlGaN, or a combination thereof.
Electrode 162 and electrode 164 are disposed on the III-V compound layer 148, and electrode 166 is disposed on the active layer 150. Electrode 162 is used as a source electrode, the electrode 164 is used as a drain electrode, and the electrode 166 is used as a gate electrode of the HEMT 102. When a voltage is applied to the gate electrode 166, a device current of the HEMT 102 could be modulated.
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor structure 100B including an MISFET 104 in accordance with some embodiments. Compared with the semiconductor structure 100B, a dielectric layer 170 is disposed over the active layer 150 and below the gate electrode 166. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 170 comprises silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO2), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or a combination thereof.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method 200 of forming a semiconductor structure 100A including a HEMT 102 or a semiconductor structure 100B including a MISFET 104 in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIGS. 3A-3F are cross-sectional views of a semiconductor structure 100A including HEMT 102 in various manufacturing stages in accordance with one or more embodiments. It is understood that additional operations may be performed before, during, and/or after the method 200 depicted in FIG. 2, and that some other processes may only be briefly described herein.
As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A, the semiconductor structure 100A includes a substrate 110. In some embodiments, substrate 110 is a (111) silicon substrate.
In operation 210, a nucleation layer 120 is formed over substrate 110. In some embodiments, nucleation layer 120 comprises AlN. In some embodiments, the formation of nucleation layer 120 is performed by a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process, using aluminum-containing precursor and nitrogen-containing precursor. In some embodiments, the aluminum-containing precursor includes trimethylaluminium (TMA), triethylaluminium (TEA), or other suitable chemical. In some embodiments, the nitrogen-containing precursor includes ammonia, tertiarybutylamine (TBAm), phenyl hydrazine, or other suitable chemical. In some embodiments, the nucleation layer 120 comprises a material other than AlN. In some embodiments, nucleation layer 120 has a thickness ranging from 150 to 300 nm.
In some embodiments, nucleation layer 120 is omitted, and thus operation 210 is omitted.
The process proceeds to operation 220. As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3B, in operation 220, a transition layer 130 is formed over nucleation layer 120. In some embodiments, transition layer 130 is a graded aluminum-gallium nitride (AlxGa(1-x)N) layer. In some embodiments, the graded aluminum gallium nitride layer has two or more of aluminum-gallium nitride layers each having a different ratio x decreased from the bottom to the top. In some embodiments, each of the two or more of aluminum-gallium nitride layers is formed by performing a MOCVD process, using aluminum-containing precursor, gallium-containing precursor, and nitrogen-containing precursor. In some embodiments, the aluminum-containing precursor includes TMA, TEA, or other suitable chemical. In some embodiments, the gallium-containing precursor includes trimethylgallium (TMG), triethylgallium (TEG), or other suitable chemical. In some embodiments, the nitrogen-containing precursor includes ammonia, TBAm, phenyl hydrazine, or other suitable chemical. In some embodiments, the graded aluminum gallium nitride layer has a continuous gradient of the ratio x gradually decreased from the bottom to the top. In some embodiments, the graded aluminum-gallium nitride layer is formed by performing a MOCVD process. In some embodiments, the transition layer 130 has a thickness ranging from 500 to 1000 nm.
In some embodiments, transition layer 130 is omitted, and thus operation 220 is omitted.
The process proceeds to operation 230. As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3C, in operation 230, a first III-V compound layer 142 having a first-type doping is formed over substrate 110, nucleation layer 120, and/or transition layer 130. In some embodiments, the first type doping is P-type doping. In some embodiments, first III-V compound layer 142 comprises GaN, and the P-type doping is implemented by using dopants including carbon, iron, magnesium, or zinc. In at least one embodiment, when the manufacture of HEMT 102 is completed, a layer (such as layer 142a) over first III-V compound layer 142 is configured to cause a depletion region formed within the first III-V compound layer 142. As such, a thickness of first III-V compound layer 142 is set to be sufficient to prevent the depletion region from extending through the entire thickness of the first III-V compound layer 142.
In some embodiments, first III-V compound layer 142 has a thickness greater than 0.15 μm. In some embodiments, the first III-V compound layer has a doping concentration greater than 1.0×1019 atoms/cm3. In some embodiments, first III-V compound layer 142 is formed by performing a MOCVD process, using gallium-containing precursor and nitrogen-containing precursor.
The process proceeds to operation 242. As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3D, in operation 242, a lower III-V layer 144a corresponding to the III-V compound layer 142 in FIG. 1A is formed over the first III-V compound layer 142. In some embodiments, the lower III-V layer 144a is undoped, unintentionally doped having a second type doping, or doped having the second type doping. In some embodiments, the second type doping is N-type doping. In some embodiments, lower III-V compound layer 144a comprises GaN, and the N-type doping is implemented by using dopants including silicon or oxygen. In some embodiments, lower III-V compound layer 144a has a doping concentration no greater than 1.0×1017 atoms/cm3. In some embodiments, lower III-V compound layer 144a has a thickness ranging from 0.05 μm to 0.1 μm. In some embodiments, lower III-V compound layer 144a is formed by performing a MOCVD process, using gallium-containing precursor and nitrogen-containing precursor.
The process proceeds to operation 244, where an upper III-V compound layer 144b is formed over the lower III-V compound layer 144a. The lower III-V compound layer 144a and the upper III-V compound layer 144b are collectively referred to as a first set of III-V compound layers 144. In some embodiments, the upper III-V layer 144b has the first type doping (e.g., the P-type doping). In some embodiments, upper III-V compound layer 144b comprises GaN. In at least one embodiment, when the manufacture of HEMT 102 is completed, a layer (such as layer 146a or layer 148 if layers 146a and 146b are omitted) over upper III-V compound layer 144b is configured to cause a depletion region formed within the upper III-V compound layer 144b. As such, a thickness of upper III-V compound layer 144b is set to be sufficient to prevent the depletion region from extending through the entire thickness of the upper III-V compound layer 144b. In some embodiments, thickness of upper III-V compound layer 144b is set to be greater than a thickness of a layer immediately on the upper III-V compound layer 144b. 
In some embodiments, upper III-V compound layer 144b has a doping concentration 1.0×1015 to 1.0×1019 atoms/cm3. In some embodiments, upper III-V compound layer 144b has a thickness ranging from 0.05 μm to 0.1 μm. In some embodiments, upper III-V compound layer 144b is formed by performing a MOCVD process, using gallium-containing precursor and nitrogen-containing precursor.
The process proceeds to operation 246, where whether a predetermined number of sets of III-V compound layers similar to the set of III-V compound layers 144 has been formed in the semiconductor structure 100A. In some embodiments, the predetermined number is set to be a number ranging from 1 to 200. If it is determined that at least another set of III-V compound layers, such as the set of III-V compound layers 146, needs to be further formed, the process proceeds to operation 242 to form lower III-V compound layer 146a and operation 244 to form upper compound 146b for the set of III-V compound layers 146. In some embodiments, the set of III-V compound layers 144 and the set of III-V compound layers 146 have a similar configuration and are fabricated by a similar process. In some embodiments, not all the predetermined sets of III-V compound layers have the same thickness and/or doping concentration. In at least one embodiments, all the predetermined sets of III-V compound layers have undoped or N-type lower III-V layers and P-type upper III-V Layers.
In operation 246, if no further set of III-V compound layers is needed, the process proceeds to operation 250.
As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3E, in operation 250, a second III-V compound layer 148 is formed over the one or more sets of III-V compound layers 144 and 146. Second III-V compound layer 148 is undoped, or unintentionally doped having the second type doping (e.g. N-type doping). In some embodiments, Second III-V compound layer 148 comprises GaN. In some embodiments, second III-V compound layer 148 has a thickness ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 lam. In some embodiments, the first III-V compound layer has a doping concentration no greater than 1.0×1016 atoms/cm3. In some embodiments, second III-V compound layer 148 is formed by performing a MOCVD process, using gallium-containing precursor and nitrogen-containing precursor.
The process proceeds to operation 260. As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3F, in operation 260, an active layer 150 corresponding to the active layer 150 in FIG. 1 is formed over the second III-V compound layer 148. In some embodiments, active layer 150 includes AlGaN, aluminum-gallium Arsenide (AlGaAs), aluminum-Indium phosphide (AlInP), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, active layer 150 includes AlGaN, where an aluminum content ratio in the aluminum-gallium constituent ranges from 0.1 to 0.25. In some embodiments, active layer 150 has a thickness ranging from 15 to 30 nm. In some embodiments, active layer 150 is formed by performing a MOCVD process, using aluminum-containing precursor, gallium-containing precursor, and nitrogen-containing precursor.
For forming HEMT 102, operation 270 is omitted and the process proceeds to operation 280. As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3F, in operation 280, electrodes 162 and 164 are formed over second III-V compound layer 148, and electrode 166 is formed over active layer 150. In some embodiments, a patterned mask layer (i.e., a photoresistive layer) is formed on the upper surface of active layer 150, and an etching process is performed to remove a portion of the active layer 150 to form openings partially exposing an upper surface of second III-V compound layer 148. A metal layer is then deposited over patterned active layer 150 and fills the openings and contacts the second III-V compound layer 148. Another patterned photoresist layer is formed over the metal layer, and the metal layer is etched to form electrodes 162 and 164 over the openings and electrode 166 over the upper surface of active layer 150. In some embodiments, the metal layer for forming electrodes 162, 164, and 166 includes one or more conductive materials. In some embodiments, electrodes 162, 164, and 166 include one or more layers of conductive materials. In at least one embodiment, electrodes 162, 164, and 166 include at least one barrier layer contacting the second III-V compound layer 148 and/or the active layer 150.
FIG. 3G is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor structure 100B including a MISFET 104 in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3G, in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3E are cross-sectional views of the semiconductor structure 100B in various manufacturing stages in accordance with one or more embodiments.
In a process for forming the semiconductor structure 100B, after performing the operations similar to operations 210 to 260, the process proceeds to operation 260. As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3G, in operation 260, a dielectric layer 170 is formed over the active layer 150. In some embodiments, dielectric layer 170 includes silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO2), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or a combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, dielectric layer 170 has a thickness ranging from 3 nm to 100 nm. In some embodiments, dielectric layer 170 is formed by any proper fabrication technique, such as MOCVD, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), or thermal oxidation. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 170 provides further isolation to prevent gate leakage.
The process then proceeds to operation 280, where openings through the active layer 150 and the dielectric layer 170 are formed, electrodes 162 and 164 are formed on the second III-V compound layer 148, and electrode 166 is formed on the dielectric layer 170. The operation 280 for forming the semiconductor structure 100B is similar to operation 280 for forming the semiconductor structure 100A, and thus description thereof is omitted.
One aspect of this description relates to a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate; and a graded III-V layer over the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a p-doped gallium nitride (GaN) layer over the graded III-V layer. The semiconductor structure further includes one or more sets of GaN layers over the p-doped GaN layer. Each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers includes a lower GaN layer, wherein the lower GaN layer is undoped, unintentionally doped having N-type doping, or N-type doped. Each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers further includes an upper GaN layer on the lower GaN layer, wherein the upper GaN layer is P-type doped. The semiconductor structure further includes a second GaN layer over the one or more sets of GaN layers, the second GaN layer being either undoped or unintentionally doped having the N-type doping. The semiconductor structure further includes an active layer over the second GaN layer.
Another aspect of this description relates to a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes depositing a first III-V layer having a first-type doping over a substrate. The method further includes depositing a first III-V compound layer over the first III-V layer. Depositing the first III-V compound layer includes depositing a lower III-V compound layer, wherein the lower III-V compound layer is undoped or unintentionally doped having a second type doping or doped having the second doping type. Depositing the first III-V compound layer further includes depositing an upper III-V compound layer over the lower III-V compound layer, wherein the upper III-V compound layer has the first type doping, and the first III-V layer has a doping concentration greater than that of the upper III-V compound layer. The method further includes determining whether a number of III-V compound layers is equal to a predetermined number of III-V compound layers. The method further includes repeating depositing III-V compound layers until the number of III-V compound layers is equal to the predetermined number of III-V compound layers. The method further includes forming a second III-V compound layer an upper most III-V compound layer, wherein the second III-V compound layer is undoped or unintentionally doped having the second type doping. The method further includes forming an active layer over the second III-V compound layer.
Still another aspect of this description relates to a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate; and a first III-V compound layer over the substrate, wherein the first III-V compound layer includes a first dopant type. The semiconductor structure further includes one or more sets of III-V compound layers over the first III-V layer. Each set of the one or more sets of III-V compound layers includes a lower III-V compound layer, wherein the lower III-V compound layer is undoped, unintentionally doped having a second dopant type, or doped having the second dopant type, and the second dopant type is opposite the first dopant type. Each set of the one or more sets of III-V compound layers further includes an upper III-V compound layer on the lower III-V compound layer, wherein the upper III-V compound layer is doped with the first dopant type, and the upper III-V compound layer includes a depletion region. The semiconductor structure further includes a second III-V compound layer over the one or more sets of III-V compound layers, the second III-V compound layer being either undoped or unintentionally doped having the second dopant type. The semiconductor structure further includes an active layer over the second III-V compound layer.
The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

## Claims

1. A semiconductor structure, comprising:
a substrate;
a graded III-V layer over the substrate;
a p-doped gallium nitride (GaN) layer directly contacting the graded III-V layer;
one or more sets of GaN layers over the p-doped GaN layer, each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers comprising:
a lower GaN layer, wherein the lower GaN layer is undoped, unintentionally doped having N-type doping, or N-type doped, and
an upper GaN layer on the lower GaN layer, wherein the upper GaN layer is P-type doped;

a second GaN layer over the one or more sets of GaN layers, the second GaN layer being either undoped or unintentionally doped having the N-type doping; and
an active layer over the second GaN layer.

2. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising a gate dielectric over the active layer.

3. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising a nucleation layer between the substrate and the graded III-V layer.

4. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein a number of sets of the one or more sets of GaN layer ranges from 1 to 200.

5. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein a two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) layer is present in the second GaN layer.

6. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising an electrode extending through the active layer to contact the second GaN layer.

7. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein the graded layer comprising a plurality of sublayers.

8. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein the graded layer comprises a single layer having a continuous concentration gradient.

9. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein the graded layer is in direct contact with the substrate.

10. A semiconductor structure, comprising:
a substrate;
a first III-V compound layer over the substrate, wherein the first III-V compound layer includes a first dopant type;
one or more sets of III-V compound layers over the first III-V layer, each set of the one or more sets of III-V compound layers comprising:
a lower III-V compound layer, wherein the lower III-V compound layer is undoped, unintentionally doped having a second dopant type, or doped having the second dopant type, and the second dopant type is opposite the first dopant type, and
an upper III-V compound layer on the lower III-V compound layer, wherein the upper III-V compound layer is doped with the first dopant type, the upper III-V compound layer includes a depletion region, and a thickness of the depletion region is less than a thickness of the upper III-V compound layer;

a second III-V compound layer over the one or more sets of III-V compound layers, the second III-V compound layer being either undoped or unintentionally doped having the second dopant type; and
an active layer over the second III-V compound layer.

11. The semiconductor structure of claim 10, further comprising a graded layer between the substrate and the first III-V compound layer.

12. The semiconductor structure of claim 10, further comprising an additional depletion region in the first III-V compound layer, wherein a thickness of the first III-V compound layer is greater than 0.15 microns (μm).

13. The semiconductor structure of claim 10, further comprising a dielectric layer over the active layer.

14. A semiconductor structure, comprising:
a substrate;
a graded III-V layer over the substrate;
a first gallium nitride (GaN) layer over the graded III-V layer, wherein the first GaN layer includes a first dopant type;
one or more sets of GaN layers over the first GaN layer, each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers comprising:
a lower GaN layer, wherein the lower GaN layer has a second dopant type opposite the first dopant type, and
an upper GaN layer on the lower GaN layer, wherein the upper GaN layer has the first dopant type;

a second GaN layer over the one or more sets of GaN layers, the second GaN layer having the second dopant type; and
an active layer over the second GaN layer.

15. The semiconductor structure of claim 14, wherein the first dopant type is a p-type dopant.

16. The semiconductor structure of claim 14, further comprising a source/drain electrode in direct contact with the active layer and the second GaN layer.

17. The semiconductor structure of claim 14, further comprising a gate electrode directly contacting the active layer.

18. The semiconductor structure of claim 14, wherein each set of the one or more sets of GaN layer is reverse biased.

19. The semiconductor structure of claim 14, wherein the lower GaN layer of each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers has a thickness ranging from about 0.05 microns (μm) to about 0.1 μm.

20. The semiconductor structure of claim 14, wherein a dopant concentration of the lower GaN layer of each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers is different from a dopant concentration of a corresponding upper GaN layer.