Fabrication of high-performance GaN microwave devices, which are the excell
ent candidates for new generation of high-power solid-state components, req
uires insulating GaN substrate materials. Due to lack of bulk GaN crystals
and particularly lack of semi-insulating GaN substrates, we propose insulat
ing GaN layers on silicon carbide as substrates for the fabrication of GaN-
based microwave devices. In this work, we demonstrate insulating GaN layers
on silicon carbide substrates. Insulating GaN layers doped with zinc were
grown on silicon carbide substrates by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. High cr
ystal quality of the grown material was proved by x-ray diffraction measure
ments showing the full width at a half maximum of omega-scan rocking curve
of about 100 arcsec. Temperature dependence of specific resistivity of the
GaN:Zn layers was measured in the temperature range from 200 to 500 K. The
value of the specific resistivity was found to be 10(12) Ohm cm at 300 K an
d 10(9) Ohm cm at 500 K. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-695
1(99)03446-4].