Download PDF

Scientific Reports

Publication date: 2019-10-18
Publisher: Nature Portfolio

Author:

Alam, Md Nur K
Roussel, P ; Heyns, M ; Van Houdt, J

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Multidisciplinary Sciences, Science & Technology - Other Topics, NEGATIVE CAPACITANCE

Abstract:

We show that the non-linear positive capacitance (PC) of ferroelectrics (FE) can explain the steep subthreshold-slope (SS) observed in FE based MOSFETs and often attributed to the existence of a negative capacitance in FE capacitors. Physically attainable and unattainable regions of the S-shape curve used in the negative capacitance theory are investigated by self-consistently solving Landau-Khalatnikov and Maxwell equations and by experimental validation. Finally, the conditions for attaining a steep SS in FE based MOSFETs assuming only positive capacitances are discussed.