Saurabh V. Suryavanshi

Intrinsic electrical transport and performance projections of synthetic monolayer MoS2 devices

We demonstrate monolayer (1L) MoS2 grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with transport properties comparable to those of the best exfoliated 1L devices over a wide range of carrier densities (up to ~1013 cm−2) and temperatures (80–500 K). Transfer length measurements decouple the intrinsic material mobility from the contact resistance, at practical carrier densities (>1012 cm−2). We demonstrate the highest current density reported to date (~270 μA μm−1 or 44 MA cm−2) at 300 K for an 80 nm long device from CVD-grown 1L MoS2. Using simulations, we discuss what improvements of 1L MoS2 are still required to meet technology roadmap requirements for low power and high performance applications. Such results are an important step towards large-area electronics based on 1L semiconductors.

Energy Dissipation in Monolayer MoS2 Electronics

The advancement of nanoscale electronics has been limited by energy dissipation challenges for over a decade. Such limitations could be particularly severe for two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors integrated with flexible substrates or multilayered processors, both being critical thermal bottlenecks. To shed light into fundamental aspects of this problem, here we report the first direct measurement of spatially resolved temperature in functioning 2D monolayer MoS2 transistors. Using Raman thermometry, we simultaneously obtain temperature maps of the device channel and its substrate. This differential measurement reveals the thermal boundary conductance of the MoS2 interface with SiO2 (14 ± 4 MW m-2 K-1) is an order magnitude larger than previously thought, yet near the low end of known solid-solid interfaces. Our study also reveals unexpected insight into nonuniformities of the MoS2 transistors (small bilayer regions) which do not cause significant self-heating, suggesting that such semiconductors are less sensitive to inhomogeneity than expected. These results provide key insights into energy dissipation of 2D semiconductors and pave the way for the future design of energy-efficient 2D electronics.

Low Variability in Synthetic Monolayer MoS2 Devices

Despite much interest in applications of two-dimensional (2D) fabrics such as MoS2, to date most studies have focused on single or few devices. Here we examine the variability of hundreds of transistors from monolayer MoS2 synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. Ultraclean fabrication yields low surface roughness of ∼3 Å and surprisingly low variability of key device parameters, considering the atomically thin nature of the material. Threshold voltage variation and very low hysteresis suggest variations in charge density and traps as low as ∼1011 cm-2. Three extraction methods (field-effect, Y-function, and effective mobility) independently reveal mobility from 30 to 45 cm2/V/s (10th to 90th percentile; highest value ∼48 cm2/V/s) across areas >1 cm2. Electrical properties are remarkably immune to the presence of bilayer regions, which cause only small conduction band offsets (∼55 meV) measured by scanning Kelvin probe microscopy, an order of magnitude lower than energy variations in Si films of comparable thickness. Data are also used as inputs to Monte Carlo circuit simulations to understand the effects of material variability on circuit variation. These advances address key missing steps required to scale 2D semiconductors into functional systems.

S2DS: Physics-based compact model for circuit simulation of two-dimensional semiconductor devices including non-idealities

We present a physics-based compact model for two-dimensional (2D) field-effect transistors (FETs) based on monolayer semiconductors such as MoS2. A semi-classical transport approach is appropriate for the 2D channel, enabling simplified analytical expressions for the drain current. In addition to intrinsic FET behavior, the model includes contact resistance, traps and impurities, quantum capacitance, fringing fields, high-field velocity saturation, and self-heating, the latter being found to play an important role. The model is calibrated with state-of-the-art experimental data for n- and p-type 2D-FETs, and it can be used to analyze device properties for sub-100 nm gate lengths. Using the experimental fit, we demonstrate the feasibility of circuit simulations using properly scaled devices. The complete model is implemented in SPICE-compatible Verilog-A, and a downloadable version is freely available at the nanoHUB.org.

Physics-based compact model for circuit simulations of 2-dimensional semiconductor devices

Anticipating a push towards circuit applications of field-effect transistors (FETs) with two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors like MoS2, there is a growing need to evaluate such devices at a circuit level. However, early 2D FET models have been either too idealistic or did not address circuit simulation. Here we describe the first SPICE-compatible compact model for realistic simulation of 2D FETs in circuits. The semi-classical model has been developed in Verilog-A and an initial version is available online. In addition to physical rigor, the model has been extensively calibrated against state-of-the-art experimental devices both from our lab and the published literature.

Effective n-type doping of monolayer MoS 2 by AlO x

Doping of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors often utilizes charge transfer techniques that are not compatible with standard CMOS fabrication and are unstable over time. Sub-stoichiometric oxides have demonstrated stable 2D material doping [1], but often degrade the subthreshold swing (S) and current on/off ratio (I<inf>max</inf>/I<inf>min</inf>) of a device. Here, we demonstrate that AlOx can n-dope monolayer (1L) MoS2 while preserving Imax/Imin and S. The AlO<inf>x</inf> doping significantly reduces the contact resistance (to 480 Ω·μm) while preserving the mobility (∼34 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹) and S, ultimately achieving record on-current of 700 μA/μm for a monolayer semiconductor. We also present a model for the effect of interface traps on the transfer characteristics, which explains the experimentally obtained results.

High-Field Transport and Velocity Saturation in Synthetic Monolayer MoS2

Two-dimensional semiconductors such as monolayer MoS2 are of interest for future applications including flexible electronics and end-of-roadmap technologies. Most research to date has focused on low-field mobility, but the peak current-driving ability of transistors is limited by the high-field saturation drift velocity, vsat. Here, we measure high-field transport as a function of temperature for the first time in high-quality synthetic monolayer MoS2. We find that in typical device geometries (e.g. on SiO2 substrates) self-heating can significantly reduce current drive during high-field operation. However, with measurements at varying ambient temperature (from 100 to 300 K), we extract electron vsat = (3.4 ± 0.4) × 106 cm/s at room temperature in this three-atom-thick semiconductor, which we benchmark against other bulk and layered materials. With these results, we estimate that the saturation current in monolayer MoS2 could exceed 1 mA/μm at room temperature, in digital circuits with near-ideal thermal management.

Electronic, thermal, and unconventional applications of 2D materials

This invited talk will present recent highlights from our research on two-dimensional (2D) materials including graphene, boron nitride (h-BN), and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The results span from fundamental measurements and simulations, to device- and several unusual system-oriented applications which take advantage of unique 2D material properties. Basic electrical, thermal, and thermoelectric properties of 2D materials will also be discussed.

Electrons, phonons, and unconventional applications of 2D materials

This invited talk will present recent highlights from our research on two-dimensional (2D) materials including graphene, boron nitride (h-BN), and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The results span from fundamental measurements and simulations, to device- and several unusual system-oriented applications which take advantage of unique 2D material properties. Basic electrical, thermal, and thermoelectric properties of 2D materials will also be discussed.

Device and energy properties of two-dimensional (2D) atomically thin materials

This talk will give an overview of our recent work on two-dimensional (2D) materials and devices. Particular focus will be placed on high-field transport, device self-heating, and fundamental aspects of thermal (phonon) transport in 2D materials including graphene and MoS2.