Monolithic integrated resonant tunneling diode and heterostructure junction field effect transistor circuits

Abstract

We have developed a simple technology for monolithic integration of resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) and heterostructure junction-modulated field effect transistors (HJFETs). We have achieved good device performance with this technology: HJFETs had transconductances of 290 mS/mm and current densities of 310 mA/mm for a 1.5 μm gate length; RTDs had room temperature peak to valley ratios greater than 20:1 with current densities of 42 kA/cm 2. With this technology, we have demonstrated a monolithically integrated RTD + HJFET state holding circuit that can serve as a building block circuit for self-timed logic units. This circuit is resistor-free and operates at room temperature. The state holding circuit showed large noise margins of 1.21 V and 0.71 V, respectively, for input low and input high, for a 1.7 V input voltage swing. We have examined the transient response of the circuit and investigated the effect of circuit design parameters on propagation delay. We identify the RTD valley current as the limiting factor on propagation delay. We discuss the suitability of RTD + HJFET circuits such as our state holding circuit for highly dense integrated circuits.