Anderson D. Smith

A Graphene-Based Hot Electron Transistor

We experimentally demonstrate DC functionality of graphene-based hot electron transistors, which we call graphene base transistors (GBT). The fabrication scheme is potentially compatible with silicon technology and can be carried out at the wafer scale with standard silicon technology. The state of the GBTs can be switched by a potential applied to the transistor base, which is made of graphene. Transfer characteristics of the GBTs show ON/OFF current ratios exceeding 10(4).

A Comprehensive Graphene FET Model for Circuit Design

During the last years, graphene-based field-effect transistors (GFETs) have shown outstanding RF performance; therefore, they have attracted considerable attention from the electronic devices and circuits communities. At the same time, analytical models that predict the electrical characteristics of GFETs have evolved rapidly. These models, however, have a complexity level that can only be handled with the help of a circuit simulator. On the other hand, analog circuit designers require simple models that enable them to carry out fast hand calculations, i.e., to create circuits using small-signal hybrid - π models, calculate figures of merit, estimate gains, pole-zero positions, and so on. This paper presents a comprehensive GFET model that is simple enough for being used in hand calculations during circuit design and at the same time, it is accurate enough to capture the electrical characteristics of the devices in the operating regions of interest. Closed analytical expressions are provided for the drain current ID, small-signal transconductance gain gm, output resistance ro, and parasitic capacitances Cgs and Cgd. In addition, figures of merit, such as intrinsic voltage gain AV, transconductance efficiency gm/ID, and transit frequency fT are presented. The proposed model has been compared to a complete analytical model and also to measured data available in current literature. The results show that the proposed model follows closely to both the complete analytical model and the measured data; therefore, it can be successfully applied in the design of GFET analog circuits.

A manufacturable process integration approach for graphene devices

We experimentally demonstrate DC functionality of graphene-based hot electron transistors, which we call Graphene Base Transistors (GBT). The fabrication scheme is potentially compatible with silicon technology and can be carried out at the wafer scale with standard silicon technology. The state of the GBTs can be switched by a potential applied to the transistor base, which is made of graphene. Transfer characteristics of the GBTs show ON/OFF current ratios exceeding 50.000.

Piezoresistive Properties of Suspended Graphene Membranes under Uniaxial and Biaxial Strain in Nanoelectromechanical Pressure Sensors

Graphene membranes act as highly sensitive transducers in nanoelectromechanical devices due to their ultimate thinness. Previously, the piezoresistive effect has been experimentally verified in graphene using uniaxial strain in graphene. Here, we report experimental and theoretical data on the uni- and biaxial piezoresistive properties of suspended graphene membranes applied to piezoresistive pressure sensors. A detailed model that utilizes a linearized Boltzman transport equation describes accurately the charge-carrier density and mobility in strained graphene and, hence, the gauge factor. The gauge factor is found to be practically independent of the doping concentration and crystallographic orientation of the graphene films. These investigations provide deeper insight into the piezoresistive behavior of graphene membranes.

Bias-temperature instability in single-layer graphene field-effect transistors

We present a detailed analysis of the bias-temperature instability (BTI) of single-layer graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs). We demonstrate that the dynamics can be systematically studied when the degradation is expressed in terms of a Dirac point voltage shift. Under these prerequisites it is possible to understand and benchmark both NBTI and PBTI using models previously developed for Si technologies. In particular, we show that the capture/emission time (CET) map approach can be also applied to GFETs and that recovery in GFETs follows the same universal relaxation trend as their Si counterparts. While the measured defect densities can still be considerably larger than those known from Si technology, the dynamics of BTI are in general comparable, allowing for quantitative benchmarking of the graphene/dielectric interface quality.

Strain engineering in suspended graphene devices for pressure sensor applications

The present paper describes a device structure for controlling and measuring strain in graphene membranes. We propose to induce strain by creating a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of a cavity covered with a graphene membrane. The combination of tight-binding calculations and a COMSOL model predicts strain induced band gaps in graphene for certain conditions and provides a guideline for potential device layouts. Raman spectroscopy on fabricated devices indicates the feasibility of this approach. Ultimately, pressure-induced band structure changes could be detected electrically, suggesting an application as ultra-sensitive pressure sensors.

Going ballistic: Graphene hot electron transistors

This paper reviews the experimental and theoretical state of the art in ballistic hot electron transistors that utilize two-dimensional base contacts made from graphene, i.e. graphene base transist ...

Bilayer insulator tunnel barriers for graphene-based vertical hot-electron transistors

Vertical graphene-based device concepts that rely on quantum mechanical tunneling are intensely being discussed in the literature for applications in electronics and optoelectronics. In this work, the carrier transport mechanisms in semiconductor-insulator-graphene (SIG) capacitors are investigated with respect to their suitability as electron emitters in vertical graphene base transistors (GBTs). Several dielectric materials as tunnel barriers are compared, including dielectric double layers. Using bilayer dielectrics, we experimentally demonstrate significant improvements in the electron injection current by promoting Fowler-Nordheim tunneling (FNT) and step tunneling (ST) while suppressing defect mediated carrier transport. High injected tunneling current densities approaching 10(3) A cm(-2) (limited by series resistance), and excellent current-voltage nonlinearity and asymmetry are achieved using a 1 nm thick high quality dielectric, thulium silicate (TmSiO), as the first insulator layer, and titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a high electron affinity second layer insulator. We also confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach in a full GBT structure which shows dramatic improvement in the collector on-state current density with respect to the previously reported GBTs. The device design and the fabrication scheme have been selected with future CMOS process compatibility in mind. This work proposes a bilayer tunnel barrier approach as a promising candidate to be used in high performance vertical graphene-based tunneling devices.

An integration approach for graphene double-gate transistors

In this work, we propose an integration approach for double gate graphene field effect transistors. The approach includes a number of process steps that are key for microelectronics integration: bottom gates with ultra-thin (2nm) high-quality thermally grown SiO2 dielectrics, shallow trench isolation between devices and atomic layer deposited Al2O3 top gate dielectrics. The complete process flow is demonstrated with fully functional GFET transistors and can be extended to wafer scale processing and other graphene-based devices.

Graphene-based CO2 sensing and its cross-sensitivity with humidity

We present graphene-based CO2 sensing and analyze its cross-sensitivity with humidity. In order to assess the selectivity of graphene-based gas sensing to various gases, measurements are performed in argon (Ar), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and air by selectively venting the desired gas from compressed gas bottles into an evacuated vacuum chamber. The sensors provide a direct electrical readout in response to changes in high concentrations, from these bottles, of CO2, O2, nitrogen and argon, as well as changes in humidity from venting atmospheric air. From the signal response to each gas species, the relative graphene sensitivity to each gas is extracted as a relationship between the percentage-change in graphenes resistance response to changes in vacuum chamber pressure. Although there is virtually no response from O2, N2 and Ar, there is a sizeable cross-sensitivity between CO2 and humidity occurring at high CO2 concentrations. However, under atmospheric concentrations of CO2, this cross-sensitivity effect is negligible – allowing for the use of graphene-based humidity sensing in atmospheric environments. Finally, charge density difference calculations, computed using density functional theory (DFT) are presented in order to illustrate the bonding of CO2 and water molecules on graphene and the alterations of the graphene electronic structure due to the interactions with the substrate and the molecules.