Theory and experiments of 1/f noise in Schottky-barrier diodes operating in the thermionic-emission mode

Abstract

A 1/f noise model for diodes operating in the thermionic-emission mode under forward-bias conditions has been developed. The model is based on mobility and diffusivity fluctuations occurring in the space-charge region and accounts for the current-limiting role of the metal-semiconductor interface The bias dependence of the 1/f noise spectral density calculated from this model is in excellent agreement with the results of the authors' experiments but is at variance with the predictions of a model developed by T.G.M. Kleinpenning (1979). From the experimental data, a value of 4.2*10/sup -9/ for the Hooge parameter is derived. This value is in good agreement with theoretical calculation for electrons in silicon.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>