Franz-Keldysh effect in GaN p-n junction diode under high reverse bias voltage

Photocurrent induced by sub-bandgap light absorption due to the Franz-Keldysh effect was observed in GaN p-n junction diodes under a high reverse bias voltage. The photocurrent increased with the reverse bias voltage and the increase was found to be more significant as the wavelength approached the absorption edge of GaN. The photocurrent was calculated with consideration of light absorption induced by the Franz-Keldysh effect in the depletion layer. The calculated curves showed excellent agreement with the experimental curves. The photocurrent also increased with an increase in temperature and this could be quantitatively explained by the red-shift of the GaN absorption edge with the increase in temperature.