Further Insights in TFET Operation

Abstract

Based on the band diagram analysis and systematic measurements, comprehensive description of the output characteristics of tunnel FETs (TFETs) operation is proposed. We show that both tunneling junctions have to be considered simultaneously to explain TFET behavior correctly. For the first time, we present and investigate in detail untruncated I <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">D</sub> (V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">D</sub> ) measurements of TFETs. We prove that competition between the two tunneling junctions explains these experiments. Insights on the links between I <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">D</sub> (V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">G</sub> ) and I <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">D</sub> (V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">D</sub> ) curves are provided, which reveal the origin of the tunneling current in the device. Our theory also enables to clarify previously reported I <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">D</sub> (V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">D</sub> ) results.