Extraction of Schottky diode parameters from forward current-voltage characteristics

It is shown that by using the forward current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics of a Schottky diode, a plot of d(V)/d(ln J) vs J and a plot of the function H(J) vs J, where H(J)≡V−n(kT/q)ln(J/A**T2), will each give a straight line. The ideality factor n, the barrier height φB, and the series resistance R of the Schottky diode can be determined with one single I-V measurement. This procedure has been used successfully to study thermal annealing effects of W/GaAs Schottky contacts.