A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) having an emitter, a base, and a collector, the base including a first semiconductor layer coupled to the collector, the first semiconductor layer having a first bandgap between a first conduction band and a first valence band and a second semiconductor layer coupled to the first semiconductor layer and having a second bandgap between a second conduction band and a second valence band, wherein the second valence band is higher than the first valence band and wherein the second semiconductor layer comprises a two dimensional hole gas and a third semiconductor layer coupled to the second semiconductor layer and having a third bandgap between a third conduction band and a third valence band, wherein the third valence band is lower than the second valence band and wherein the third semiconductor layer is coupled to the emitter.