Analysis of GaN etching damage by capacitively coupled RF Ar plasma exposure

GaN etching damage by capacitively-coupled RF Ar plasma exposure is significantly dependent on gas pressure and exposure time. At a low gas pressure (10 mTorr), the N/Ga ratio decreases by the physical etching effect with increasing exposure time, while the GaN surface morphology is smooth. At a high gas pressure (50 mTorr), there are other effects such as UV radiation, by which the GaN surface morphology becomes rough as the exposure time increases from ∼ 60 min.