Accurate dependence of gallium nitride thermal conductivity on dislocation density

Abstract

The authors experimentally find that the thermal conductivity of gallium nitride depends critically on dislocation density using the 3-omega technique. For GaN with dislocation densities lower than 106cm−2, the thermal conductivity is independent with dislocation density. The thermal conductivity decreases with a logarithmic dependence for material with dislocation densities in the range of 107–1010cm−2. These results are in agreement with theoretical predictions. This study indicates that the hydride vapor phase epitaxy method offers an attractive route for the formation of semi-insulating gallium nitride with optimal thermal conductivity values around 230W∕mK and very low dislocation density near 5×104cm−2.