Channel length independent subthreshold characteristics in submicron MOSFETs

Abstract

This work reports an anomalous subthreshold characteristic of the MOSFET for the first time. It is observed that the subthreshold characteristic does not change as the channel length decreases. The cause of channel length independent subthreshold characteristics is identified as the localized pileup of channel dopants near the source and drain ends of the channel. The low surface potential of this pileup region limits the subthreshold current of MOSFET. As a result, the ratio of on-current to off-current for this MOSFET increases as the channel length is reduced, which is an important parameter for low-voltage operation. It is found that a MOSFET with channel length independent subthreshold characteristic is more suitable for low-voltage operation.