Gold-free fully cu-metallized InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor

A gold-free, fully Cu-metallized InGaP/GaAs heterejunction bipolar transistor using platinum as the diffusion barrier has been successfully fabricated. The HBT uses Pd/Ge and Pt/Ti/Pt/Cu for n-type and p(+)-type ohmic contacts, respectively, and Ti/Pt/Cu for interconnect metals with platinum as the diffusion barrier. The Ti/Pt/Cu structure was stable during annealing up to 350degreesC judging from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and sheet resistance. A current-accelerated stress test was conducted on the device with a current density J(C) = 140 kA/cm(2) for 24 h, and the current gain showed no degradation. The devices were also thermally annealed at 250degreesC,for 24 h and showed little change. We have successfully demonstrated that an Au-free, fully Cu-metallized HBT can be realized using Pt as the diffusion barrier and Pd/Ge and Pt/Ti/Pt/Cu as the ohmic contacts.