ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTION IN ALUMINUM NITRIDE

Abstract

Electrical conductivities of aluminum nitride (AlN) doped with various ions of different sizes and valences have been measured at elevated temperatures. Grain conductivities of samples doped with large cations, obtained from complex impedance patterns, were much higher than those doped with small cations. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity showed two regions having different activation energies. It was proposed that the precipitated impurities play a decisive role in the electrical conduction of AlN.