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Journal of Synthetic Crystals ›› 2026, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (4): 487-545.DOI: 10.16553/j.cnki.issn1000-985x.2025.0214

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Research Progress in Epitaxial Growth, Doping Control, and Defect Management of Gallium Oxide Thin Films

CHEN Yihong1,2(), ZHOU Xiaoqing1, XU Wenjing1,2, YU Yue1, ZHAO Yiru3, YANG Zhenni2, DONG Xin4, JIA Zhitai5, CHEN Duanyang6,7(), QI Hongji2,6,7(), ZHANG Hongliang1,3()   

  1. 1.State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,Xiamen University,Xiamen 361005,China
    2.Hangzhou Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics,Hangzhou 311421,China
    3.College of Physical Science and Technology,Xiamen University,Xiamen 361005,China
    4.State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics,College of Electronic Science & Engineering,Jilin University,Changchun 130012,China
    5.State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials,Shandong University,Jinan 250100,China
    6.Advanced Laser and Optoelectronic Functional Materials Department,Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Shanghai 201800,China
    7.Shanghai Key Laboratory of Wide and Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials,Shanghai 201306,China
  • Received:2025-10-07 Online:2026-04-20 Published:2026-05-19
  • Contact: CHEN Duanyang, QI Hongji, ZHANG Hongliang

Abstract: Gallium oxide has emerged as a prominent ultrawide bandgap semiconductor material. Its outstanding physical properties, including a bandgap of approximately 4.9 eV and a breakdown electric field strength of 8 MV/cm, combined with the unique capability of producing large-size single crystal substrates via melt growth methods, have positioned it at the forefront of research on the high-power electronic devices, radio-frequency front-end devices, and solar-blind ultraviolet photodetection. In recent years, substantial advances has been made in substrate preparation, epitaxial growth, and device processing. Epitaxial films serve as a critical bridge between substrates and devices, whose quality directly determines the performance limits of the final devices. Doping control and defect management during epitaxial growth are considered a core challenge in the field. This review provides a systematic overview of the research status and development trends of β-Ga2O3 epitaxial films. It begins by introducing the research background, crystal structure, and fundamental physical properties of gallium oxide. This review then provides a detailed assessment of progress in major epitaxial growth techniques, including hydride vapor phase epitaxy, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, and molecular beam epitaxy, with emphasis on key strategies such as the suppression of background carrier concentration, precise control of n-type doping, high-rate growth of thick films, and inhibition of defects. The significant challenge of achieving p-type doping is analyzed, and its physical mechanisms along with the latest research developments are summarized. Furthermore, recent achievements in the heteroepitaxy of β-Ga2O3α-Ga2O3 and ε-Ga2O3 are summarized. Finally, based on current technical bottlenecks and future application requirements, prospects for the development of gallium oxide epitaxial technology are presented, with the aim of providing a useful reference for both fundamental research and industrial applications in this field.

Key words: gallium oxide; epitaxial growth; doping control; growth of thick film; defect management; p-type doping; heteroepitaxy

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