Oxide Semiconductor Thin‐Film Transistors: A Review of Recent Advances
TL;DR: The recent progress in n- and p-type oxide based thin-film transistors (TFT) is reviewed, with special emphasis on solution-processed andp-type, and the major milestones already achieved with this emerging and very promising technology are summarizeed.
Abstract: Transparent electronics is today one of the most advanced topics for a wide range of device applications. The key components are wide bandgap semiconductors, where oxides of different origins play an important role, not only as passive component but also as active component, similar to what is observed in conventional semiconductors like silicon. Transparent electronics has gained special attention during the last few years and is today established as one of the most promising technologies for leading the next generation of flat panel display due to its excellent electronic performance. In this paper the recent progress in n- and p-type oxide based thin-film transistors (TFT) is reviewed, with special emphasis on solution-processed and p-type, and the major milestones already achieved with this emerging and very promising technology are summarizeed. After a short introduction where the main advantages of these semiconductors are presented, as well as the industry expectations, the beautiful history of TFTs is revisited, including the main landmarks in the last 80 years, finishing by referring to some papers that have played an important role in shaping transparent electronics. Then, an overview is presented of state of the art n-type TFTs processed by physical vapour deposition methods, and finally one of the most exciting, promising, and low cost but powerful technologies is discussed: solution-processed oxide TFTs. Moreover, a more detailed focus analysis will be given concerning p-type oxide TFTs, mainly centred on two of the most promising semiconductor candidates: copper oxide and tin oxide. The most recent data related to the production of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices based on n- and p-type oxide TFT is also be presented. The last topic of this review is devoted to some emerging applications, finalizing with the main conclusions. Related work that originated at CENIMAT|I3N during the last six years is included in more detail, which has led to the fabrication of high performance n- and p-type oxide transistors as well as the fabrication of CMOS devices with and on paper.
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TL;DR: In this article, the HfAlZnO (HAZO) TFTs with Hf and Al coincorporated ZnO active channels prepared by atomic-layer deposition are presented.
Abstract: Oxide thin films transistors (TFTs) with Hf and Al co-incorporated ZnO active channels prepared by atomic-layer deposition are presented. The Al concentration was fixed at 2.6 at% and the Hf concentration was varied from 3.3 to 6.3 at%. The HfAlZnO (HAZO) TFTs exhibited positive shifts in turn on voltages toward 0 V with a slight decrease in carrier mobility with increases in the incorporated Hf content and the post-annealing temperature. It was suggested that the carrier concentration and defect densities within the HAZO channels were reduced by incorporating Hf and performing the thermal annealing process. The TFT with HAZO channels with Hf content of 6.3 at% exhibited a turn-on operation at around 0 V and a low SS value of 0.3 V dec−1 without a marked decrease in carrier mobility. Furthermore, the device stabilities under bias, illumination, and temperature stresses could be greatly enhanced by reducing the formation of additional carriers and defects caused by weak Zn–O bonds due to the high binding energy of Hf with oxygen.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the generalized gated four-probe and van der Pauw structure were combined to measure the carrier mobility of semiconductors, and the method is geometry-independent, suitable for gatedependent mobility in all operation regimes.
Abstract: Measuring the mobility of thin-film transistors fabricated using newly developed semiconductors is difficult because of various factors, such as contact resistance. In this work, the generalized gated four-probe and van der Pauw structure were combined to precisely measure the carrier mobility of semiconductors. The method is geometry-independent, suitable for gate-dependent mobility in all operation regimes, and the test devices could be easily fabricated. Experimental verifications were performed on specially designed InGaZnO devices with different electrodes and at various temperatures. The developed approach enables simple and precise investigation of the semiconductor’s properties via easily fabricated devices. In particular, the technique could be used for newly developed semiconductors that can only be patterned via low-resolution techniques, such as shadow mask patterning.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a prototype exfoliation tool and process for the fabrication of thin-film, single crystal silicon, which is a key material for creating high-performance flexible electronics is presented.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of a prototype exfoliation tool and process for the fabrication of thin-film, single crystal silicon, which is a key material for creating high-performance flexible electronics. The process described in this paper is compatible with traditional wafer-based, complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication techniques, which enables high-performance devices fabricated using CMOS processes to be easily integrated into flexible electronic products like wearable or internet of things devices. The exfoliation method presented in this paper uses an electroplated nickel tensile layer and tension-controlled handle layer to propagate a crack across a wafer while controlling film thickness and reducing the surface roughness of the exfoliated devices as compared with previously reported exfoliation methods. Using this exfoliation tool, thin-film silicon samples are produced with a typical average surface roughness of 75 nm and a thickness that can be set anywhere between 5 μm and 35 μm by changing the exfoliation parameters.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a trap-limited conduction method was used to correlate the density of localized states with the performance of Sm2O3- and HfO2-gated metal-oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated at room temperature.
Abstract: We performed a quantitative study using a trap-limited conduction method to correlate the density of localized states with the performance of Sm2O3- and HfO2-gated metal-oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated at room temperature. We found that TFT performance with a Sm2O3 gate dielectric exceeds that with a HfO2 gate dielectric. Sm2O3-gated TFTs with an In-Ga-Zn-O (In-Zn-O) channel show a saturation mobility of 57.1 (114.9) cm $^2$ V $^{-1}$ s $^{-1}$ , effective threshold voltage of 0.9 (1.6) V, and subthreshold swing of 0.116 (0.256) Vdec $^{-1}$ . Based on a trap-limited conduction model, the improved performance correlates with the lower density of localized states in the tail and deep regions. A lower density of tail states leads to higher mobility, and the lower density of deep states tends to reduce both the threshold voltage and the subthreshold swing. Using semi-empirical quantum chemistry simulations, we show that the decrease in the number of localized states is associated with the inherent characteristics of Sm cations, due to their lower electropositivity and larger ionic radius compared to Hf, which leads to less ionic distortion in the channel.
2 citations
06 Oct 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple and inexpensive method to grow high quality ZnO thin films by a mist chemical vapor assisted depositing (Mist-CVD) system for inverted polymer solar cell (IPSC) application was demonstrated.
Abstract: Extensive investigations have been conducted in order to synthesize high quality Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films for numerous applications. These methods are either expensive to make or result polycrystalline thin films with low optoelectronic properties. Here we demonstrated a simple and inexpensive method to grow high quality ZnO thin films by a mist chemical vapor assisted depositing (Mist-CVD) system for inverted polymer solar cell (IPSC) application. The IPSC performance fabricated by Mist-CVD grown ZnO thin films were compared with two different Zn precursors (Zinc acetylacetonate hydrate and Zinc acetate dehydrate). Variations in IPSC performance on the growth temperature and growth time of the ZnO thin films were prominently demonstrated. The surface morphology of the ZnO films was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and correlated with IPSC performance. The IPSC performance using two different precursors has been compared thoroughly. A 24% increase in solar cell efficiency (contributed from 21% increase in fill factor and 151% increase in shunt resistance) was achieved using Zinc acetate dehydrate compare to Zinc acetylacetonate hydrate precursor. The transmittance of ZnO thin films was evaluated by transmission spectroscopy. High performance IPSC can be fabricated using this simple and inexpensive method by synthesizing high quality thin ZnO films.
2 citations
References
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TL;DR: A novel semiconducting material is proposed—namely, a transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor from the In-Ga-Zn-O system (a-IGZO)—for the active channel in transparent thin-film transistors (TTFTs), which are fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate sheets and exhibit saturation mobilities and device characteristics are stable during repetitive bending of the TTFT sheet.
Abstract: Transparent electronic devices formed on flexible substrates are expected to meet emerging technological demands where silicon-based electronics cannot provide a solution. Examples of active flexible applications include paper displays and wearable computers1. So far, mainly flexible devices based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H)2,3,4,5 and organic semiconductors2,6,7,8,9,10 have been investigated. However, the performance of these devices has been insufficient for use as transistors in practical computers and current-driven organic light-emitting diode displays. Fabricating high-performance devices is challenging, owing to a trade-off between processing temperature and device performance. Here, we propose to solve this problem by using a novel semiconducting material—namely, a transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor from the In-Ga-Zn-O system (a-IGZO)—for the active channel in transparent thin-film transistors (TTFTs). The a-IGZO is deposited on polyethylene terephthalate at room temperature and exhibits Hall effect mobilities exceeding 10 cm2 V-1 s-1, which is an order of magnitude larger than for hydrogenated amorphous silicon. TTFTs fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate sheets exhibit saturation mobilities of 6–9 cm2 V-1 s-1, and device characteristics are stable during repetitive bending of the TTFT sheet.
7,301 citations
Book•
04 Jul 1990
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a characterization of the resistivity of a two-point-versus-four-point probe in terms of the number of contacts and the amount of contacts in the probe.
Abstract: Preface to Third Edition. 1 Resistivity. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Two-Point Versus Four-Point Probe. 1.3 Wafer Mapping. 1.4 Resistivity Profiling. 1.5 Contactless Methods. 1.6 Conductivity Type. 1.7 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 1.1 Resistivity as a Function of Doping Density. Appendix 1.2 Intrinsic Carrier Density. References. Problems. Review Questions. 2 Carrier and Doping Density. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Capacitance-Voltage (C-V). 2.3 Current-Voltage (I-V). 2.4 Measurement Errors and Precautions. 2.5 Hall Effect. 2.6 Optical Techniques. 2.7 Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). 2.8 Rutherford Backscattering (RBS). 2.9 Lateral Profiling. 2.10 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 2.1 Parallel or Series Connection? Appendix 2.2 Circuit Conversion. References. Problems. Review Questions. 3 Contact Resistance and Schottky Barriers. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Metal-Semiconductor Contacts. 3.3 Contact Resistance. 3.4 Measurement Techniques. 3.5 Schottky Barrier Height. 3.6 Comparison of Methods. 3.7 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 3.1 Effect of Parasitic Resistance. Appendix 3.2 Alloys for Contacts to Semiconductors. References. Problems. Review Questions. 4 Series Resistance, Channel Length and Width, and Threshold Voltage. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 PN Junction Diodes. 4.3 Schottky Barrier Diodes. 4.4 Solar Cells. 4.5 Bipolar Junction Transistors. 4.6 MOSFETS. 4.7 MESFETS and MODFETS. 4.8 Threshold Voltage. 4.9 Pseudo MOSFET. 4.10 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 4.1 Schottky Diode Current-Voltage Equation. References. Problems. Review Questions. 5 Defects. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Generation-Recombination Statistics. 5.3 Capacitance Measurements. 5.4 Current Measurements. 5.5 Charge Measurements. 5.6 Deep-Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS). 5.7 Thermally Stimulated Capacitance and Current. 5.8 Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS). 5.9 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 5.1 Activation Energy and Capture Cross-Section. Appendix 5.2 Time Constant Extraction. Appendix 5.3 Si and GaAs Data. References. Problems. Review Questions. 6 Oxide and Interface Trapped Charges, Oxide Thickness. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Fixed, Oxide Trapped, and Mobile Oxide Charge. 6.3 Interface Trapped Charge. 6.4 Oxide Thickness. 6.5 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 6.1 Capacitance Measurement Techniques. Appendix 6.2 Effect of Chuck Capacitance and Leakage Current. References. Problems. Review Questions. 7 Carrier Lifetimes. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Recombination Lifetime/Surface Recombination Velocity. 7.3 Generation Lifetime/Surface Generation Velocity. 7.4 Recombination Lifetime-Optical Measurements. 7.5 Recombination Lifetime-Electrical Measurements. 7.6 Generation Lifetime-Electrical Measurements. 7.7 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 7.1 Optical Excitation. Appendix 7.2 Electrical Excitation. References. Problems. Review Questions. 8 Mobility. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Conductivity Mobility. 8.3 Hall Effect and Mobility. 8.4 Magnetoresistance Mobility. 8.5 Time-of-Flight Drift Mobility. 8.6 MOSFET Mobility. 8.7 Contactless Mobility. 8.8 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 8.1 Semiconductor Bulk Mobilities. Appendix 8.2 Semiconductor Surface Mobilities. Appendix 8.3 Effect of Channel Frequency Response. Appendix 8.4 Effect of Interface Trapped Charge. References. Problems. Review Questions. 9 Charge-based and Probe Characterization. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Background. 9.3 Surface Charging. 9.4 The Kelvin Probe. 9.5 Applications. 9.6 Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM). 9.7 Strengths and Weaknesses. References. Problems. Review Questions. 10 Optical Characterization. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Optical Microscopy. 10.3 Ellipsometry. 10.4 Transmission. 10.5 Reflection. 10.6 Light Scattering. 10.7 Modulation Spectroscopy. 10.8 Line Width. 10.9 Photoluminescence (PL). 10.10 Raman Spectroscopy. 10.11 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 10.1 Transmission Equations. Appendix 10.2 Absorption Coefficients and Refractive Indices for Selected Semiconductors. References. Problems. Review Questions. 11 Chemical and Physical Characterization. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Electron Beam Techniques. 11.3 Ion Beam Techniques. 11.4 X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Techniques. 11.5 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 11.1 Selected Features of Some Analytical Techniques. References. Problems. Review Questions. 12 Reliability and Failure Analysis. 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 Failure Times and Acceleration Factors. 12.3 Distribution Functions. 12.4 Reliability Concerns. 12.5 Failure Analysis Characterization Techniques. 12.6 Strengths and Weaknesses. Appendix 12.1 Gate Currents. References. Problems. Review Questions. Appendix 1 List of Symbols. Appendix 2 Abbreviations and Acronyms. Index.
6,573 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the literature in the area of alternate gate dielectrics is given, based on reported results and fundamental considerations, the pseudobinary materials systems offer large flexibility and show the most promise toward success.
Abstract: Many materials systems are currently under consideration as potential replacements for SiO2 as the gate dielectric material for sub-0.1 μm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology. A systematic consideration of the required properties of gate dielectrics indicates that the key guidelines for selecting an alternative gate dielectric are (a) permittivity, band gap, and band alignment to silicon, (b) thermodynamic stability, (c) film morphology, (d) interface quality, (e) compatibility with the current or expected materials to be used in processing for CMOS devices, (f) process compatibility, and (g) reliability. Many dielectrics appear favorable in some of these areas, but very few materials are promising with respect to all of these guidelines. A review of current work and literature in the area of alternate gate dielectrics is given. Based on reported results and fundamental considerations, the pseudobinary materials systems offer large flexibility and show the most promise toward success...
5,711 citations
IBM1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present new insight into conduction mechanisms and performance characteristics, as well as opportunities for modeling properties of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) and discuss progress in the growing field of n-type OTFTs.
Abstract: Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) have lived to see great improvements in recent years. This review presents new insight into conduction mechanisms and performance characteristics, as well as opportunities for modeling properties of OTFTs. The shifted focus in research from novel chemical structures to fabrication technologies that optimize morphology and structural order is underscored by chapters on vacuum-deposited and solution-processed organic semiconducting films. Finally, progress in the growing field of the n-type OTFTs is discussed in ample detail. The Figure, showing a pentacene film edge on SiO2, illustrates the morphology issue.
4,804 citations
TL;DR: An outlook is presented on what will be required to drive this young photovoltaic technology towards the next major milestone, a 10% power conversion efficiency, considered by many to represent the efficiency at which OPV can be adopted in wide-spread applications.
Abstract: Solution-processed bulk-heterojunction solar cells have gained serious attention during the last few years and are becoming established as one of the future photovoltaic technologies for low-cost power production. This article reviews the highlights of the last few years, and summarizes today's state-of-the-art performance. An outlook is given on relevant future materials and technologies that have the potential to guide this young photovoltaic technology towards the magic 10% regime. A cost model supplements the technical discussions, with practical aspects any photovoltaic technology needs to fulfil, and answers to the question as to whether low module costs can compensate lower lifetimes and performances.
3,084 citations