Abstract
Surface passivation of AlGaN/GaN heterojunction structure was examined through the thermal oxidation of evaporated Al. The Al-oxide passivation increased channel conductance of two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) on the AlGaN/GaN interface. The sheet resistance of 463 ohm/${\Box}$ for 2DEG channel before $Al_2O_3$ passivation was decreased to 417 ohm/${\Box}$ after passivation. The oxidation of Al induces tensile stress to the AlGaN/GaN structure and the stress seemed to enhance the sheet carrier density of the 2DEG channel. In addition, the $Al_2O_3$ films formed by thermal oxidation of Al suppressed thermal deterioration by the high temperature annealing.