Analysis of Piezoelectric Semiconductor Structures Considering Both Physical and Geometric Nonlinearities

Piezoelectric semiconductors (PSs), such as ZnO and GaN, known as the third-generation semiconductors, have promising applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices due to the coexistence and interaction of piezoelectricity and semiconductor properties. Theoretical modeling of PS structures under external loads, such as thermal and mechanical loads, plays a crucial role in the design of PS devices. In this work, we propose a nonlinear fully coupling theoretical model and investigate the multi-field coupling behaviors of PS structures and PN junctions under thermal and mechanical loads, considering physical and geometric nonlinearities. The electromechanical and semiconducting behaviors of a PS rod-like structure with flexural deformations under different combinations of temperature changes and mechanical loads are evaluated. The tuning effect of temperature changes and mechanical loads on multi-field coupling behaviors of PSs is revealed. The current–voltage characteristics of PS PN junctions are studied under different combinations of temperature changes and mechanical loads. The obtained results are helpful for the development of novel PS devices.