Hot Electron Transistor with van der Waals Base-Collector Heterojunction and High-Performance GaN Emitter

Single layer graphene is an ideal material for the base layer of hot electron transistors (HETs) for potential terahertz (THz) applications. The ultrathin body and exceptionally long mean free path maximizes the probability for ballistic transport across the base of the HET. We demonstrate for the first time the operation of a high-performance HET using a graphene/WSe₂ van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure as a base-collector barrier. The resulting device with a GaN/AlN heterojunction as emitter, exhibits a current density of 50 A/cm², direct current gain above 3 and 75% injection efficiency, which are record values among graphene-base HETs. These results not only provide a scheme to overcome the limitations of graphene-base HETs toward THz operation but are also the first demonstration of a GaN/vdW heterostructure in HETs, revealing the potential for novel electronic and optoelectronic applications.