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Characterization and Modeling of Low Frequency Noise and Dielectric Traps in Scaled MOSFET Devices

Zhang, Xiaochen

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering.
CMOS scaling has pushed the industry toward circuits and systems of better performance, higher density, and lower cost for electronic products through the past several decades. The high-K materials are introduced into the MOSFET structure to reduce the gate leakage current, increase the gate capacitance for current drive and reduce short channel effects. However, the oxide trap density in these materials is intrinsically higher and that leads to stronger trapping effects. This dissertation describes the modeling and electrical characterization of nanoscaled high-K and SiON MOSFET devices, focusing on their trap-related device performances. Research work on performance characterization of carbon ion implantation in advanced CMOS replacement technology is also included pursuing a cost-effective approach for precise control of vertical dopant profile. We develop a quantum mechanical treatment of low-frequency noise to extend the ``unified'' noise model and includes remote Coulomb scattering and surface roughness - the latter is a new consideration in the theory. Our experimental work focuses on scaled NMOS devices with a composite dielectric consisting of a 0.5 nm SiO2 covered with a high-K, 1.6 nm HfO2 with a metal gate. In the past, Coulomb scattering was assumed to arise from trapping centers located at the Si-SiO2 interface; however, this cannot give rise to a 1/f noise spectrum. We model remote Coulomb scattering into the dielectric film as traps in these films easily lie within a tunneling distance from the interface. This approach explains the decrease in the remote Coulomb scattering parameter ('alpha') as a function of gate voltage. In addition, we introduce surface roughness scattering through fluctuations in the normal electric field due to fluctuations in the free carrier density with a surface scattering parameter ('beta') proportional to the SPICE surface roughness parameter 'thetaS'. Good agreement is obtained between our model and experimental results for both IDS - VGS and the power spectral density, SId, characteristics in very strong inversion region where the surface quantization of the 2D subbands is strong. Characterization on SiON MOSFET devices are performed including I-V (Current-Voltage), C-V (Capacitance-Voltage), charge pumping etc. NMOS transistors exhibit a higher interface trap density (9.7E10 cm-2eV-1) than PMOS (5.8E10 cm-2eV-1). The mean capture cross sections are comparable in these devcies: 3.3E-17 cm2 and 9.1E-17 cm2, receptively, for CMOS devices. Different mobility extraction methods are presented and the results indicate strong surface roughness scattering in these devices. The effects of channel carbon ion implantation (Cii) on advanced high-K metal gate low-power CMOS devices have been studies. Cii improves the device performance, especially for NMOS. The improvement comes mainly from an improvement in electron mobility, where Coulomb scattering is reduced due to retarded boron diffusion with carbon.
Marvin White (Advisor)
Leonard Brillson (Committee Member)
Wu Lu (Committee Member)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zhang, X. (2013). Characterization and Modeling of Low Frequency Noise and Dielectric Traps in Scaled MOSFET Devices [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366206443

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zhang, Xiaochen. Characterization and Modeling of Low Frequency Noise and Dielectric Traps in Scaled MOSFET Devices. 2013. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366206443.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zhang, Xiaochen. "Characterization and Modeling of Low Frequency Noise and Dielectric Traps in Scaled MOSFET Devices." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366206443

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)