Analytical modeling of direct tunneling current through gate stacks for the determination of suitable high-k dielectrics for nanoscale double-gate MOSFETs

Abstract

Gate-leakage current reduction is the key motivation for the replacement of traditional SiO2 gate insulator with alternative gate dielectrics. In this work, a guideline for the determination of the suitable high-k candidate was reported in the case of a SiO2/high-k gate stack in a nanoscale double-gate (DG) MOSFET. Analytical models of direct tunneling gate leakage current with SiO2 as an interfacial layer have been considered. Using these models, the most promising high-k materials for different conditions were predicted, considering the effects of equivalent oxide thickness (EOT), gate leakage current, electron effective mass, dielectric constant-k value, barrier height and interfacial oxide thickness.