Development of compact model for tunnel field-effect transistors

Japanese researchers have developed a compact model for circuit simulation to predict the circuit behavior of tunnel field-effect transistors (tunnel FETs). This device-operation model simulates current–voltage characteristics by predicting the electric field distribution in a tunnel FET and estimating the tunnel current. It is described in Verilog-A language and therefore can be incorporated into existing major circuit simulators. The model is expected to contribute to the design of tunnel FETs aiming at the realization of ultra-low-power circuits.

In recent years, with the wide spread of mobile information devices and the increasing sophistication of IT equipment, there has been growing concern about increasing power consumption. There has also been growing social demand for reduction in the power consumption of electronic information devices. However, reduction in the power consumption of conventional metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is reaching its limit. Breakthrough, revolutionary low-power large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs) are required to build a low-carbon society.

In recent years, attention has been focused on tunnel FETs, which is capable of steep on/off switching at low voltage, as an alternative to the conventional MOSFETs. Use of the tunnel FETs is expected to reduce the power consumption of LSIs. Circuit simulation to determine whether new designs of LSI meet performance requirements is essential. However, it is difficult to take into account the tunnel effect in predictions of the current–voltage characteristics of tunnel FETs, and there is no tunnel FET device-operation model that can be used for circuit simulation.

A tunnel FET is a transistor that controls on/off switching by inducing tunneling with a gate voltage, unlike the MOSFET used in conventional LSIs. The energy levels of the valence band and the conduction band of the channel are rapidly changed by controlling the gate voltage. As a result, as the energy level of the conduction band of the channel approaches that of the valence band of the source, tunneling occurs between the source and the channel, and current flows through the transistor. The tunnel FET based on this principle switches current on and off at a lower voltage than a conventional MOSFET and is capable of steep switching. If the switching is steep, the tunnel FET can operate at a lower voltage than a conventional MOSFET. As a result, an LSI using tunnel FETs can also operate at a lower voltage.

The developed compact model for tunnel FETs can calculate the tunnel current generated in the FET from the terminal voltages of the source, drain, and gate. First, the model predicts the electric field distribution at the location in the tunnel FET where the tunnel current is generated. The tunnel distance can be obtained from the electric field distribution, allowing estimation of the amount of the generated tunnel current. Because the model can be used to predict the electrical characteristics of individual devices, a circuit simulator with the model can quickly predict the performance of a circuit with multiple devices connected to it. This makes it possible to design an LSI circuit that uses tunnel FETs. In addition, the model is described in Verilog-A language and therefore can be incorporated into various circuit simulators.

Because a circuit simulation deals with multiple devices simultaneously, the model is expressed by analytical equations that can be calculated instantly. The validity of this model was evaluated by comparison with numerical simulations, including a numerical analysis method that divides a device structure into a group of small regions and solves equations (the finite element method). The electrostatic potential distributions in the cross-section of the tunnel FET along the gate dielectric layer are shown. The electrostatic potential distribution predicted by this model agrees well the numerical simulation, which takes 10 minutes to 1 hour for the calculation of one device. The tunnel distance can be obtained from the electrostatic potential distribution, making it possible to quickly and accurately calculate the amount of the tunnel current.

The researchers intend to provide the developed compact model to researchers of low-power circuits and to thereby accelerate the development of low-power LSIs that use tunnel FETs.