We have demonstrated a functional NpN double-heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) using InGaAsN for the base layer. The InGaP/In0.03Ga0.97As0.99N0.01/GaAs DHBT has a low VON of 0.81 V, which is 0.13 V lower than in a InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT). The lower turn-on voltage is attributed to the smaller band gap (1.20 eV) of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition-grown In0.03Ga0.97As0.99N0.01 base layer. GaAs is used for the collector; thus the breakdown voltage (BVCEO) is 10 V, consistent with the BVCEO of InGaP/GaAs HBTs of comparable collector thickness and doping level. To alleviate the current blocking phenomenon caused by the larger conduction band discontinuity between InGaAsN and GaAs, a graded InGaAs layer with δ doping is inserted at the base–collector junction. The improved device has a peak current gain of seven with ideal current–voltage characteristics.

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