Abstract
A HEMT includes a silicon substrate, an unintentionally doped gallium nitride (UID GaN) layer over the silicon substrate, a donor-supply layer over the UID GaN layer, a gate structure, a drain, and a source over the donor-supply layer, and a passivation material layer having one or more buried portions contacting or almost contacting the UID GaN layer. A carrier channel layer at the interface of the donor-supply layer and the UID GaN layer has patches of non-conduction in a drift region between the gate and the drain. A method for making the HEMT is also provided.