Temperature dependent diode and photovoltaic characteristics of graphene-GaN heterojunction

Understanding the charge carrier transport characteristics at the graphene-GaN interface is of significant importance for the fabrication of efficient photoresponsive devices. Here, we report on the temperature dependent diode and photovoltaic characteristics of a graphene/n-GaN heterostructure based Schottky junction. The graphene/n-GaN heterojunction showed rectifying diode characteristics and photovoltaic action with photoresponsivity in the ultra-violet wavelength. The current-voltage characteristics of the graphene/n-GaN heterojunction device were investigated under dark and light illumination with changes in temperature. Under dark conditions, an increase in the forward bias current as well as saturation current was observed, and a decrease in the device ideality factor was obtained with an increase in temperature. Under illumination of light, a decrease in the open circuit voltage (V-oc) and an increase in the short circuit current density (J(sc)) was obtained with an increase in temperature. The increase in saturation current and carrier recombination with the increase in temperature leads to a reduction in V-oc, while the photo-generated carrier increases in the heterojunction interface at higher temperatures contributing to the increase in J(sc). The observed temperature dependent device characteristics of the graphene/n-GaN heterojunction can be significant to understand the junction behavior and photovoltaic action. Published by AIP Publishing.