Spatial Wave-function Switched Field Effect Transistor Research Articles

Propagation Delay Evaluation for Spatial Wavefunction Switched (SWS) FET-Based Inverter

This paper evaluates the propagation delay of a four-state/two-bit spatial wavefunction-switched field-effect transistors (SWS) FET-based inverter. The SWS-FET has two or more vertically stacked quantum-well or quantum dot (QD) layers where the magnitude of the gate voltage determines the location of carriers in the upper or lower channel. A calibration method based on an analytical propagation delay model expanded for the SWS-FET based inverter to account for the multiple quantum wells within the device. Cadence iterative simulations are used for calibrating the SWS inverter size to reach a symmetrical propagation delay for the four logic transitions. The SWS transfer characteristic and the inverter circuit time specifications are obtained by integrating the BSIM (Berkeley Short-channel IGFET Model) and the Analog Behavioral Model (ABM). Calibration and adjustment of the contributing parameters of the model leads to the improvement of the device accuracy for circuit designs based on SWS-FET technology.

Application of SWSFET in Image Segmentation

Image segmentation is a fundamental image processing technique to extract the required information from an image. The core element of any integrated circuit (IC) chip for signal processing is the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). There are various limitations of MOSFET in sub-nm process technology. This work introduces the application of a new type of MOSFET, which is known as the spatial wave function switched field effect transistor (SWSFET), in the image processing application. The channel in a SWSFET is comprised of various low bandgap semiconductor layers. The charge carriers move across various channels and generate current through different drain terminals. The SWSFET is used to design a window detector which is applied in image segmentation.

Low-Threshold II–VI Lattice-Matched SWS-FETs for Multivalued Low-Power Logic

The aim of this paper is to design low-threshold variation, four-state/two-bit Si/SiGe quantum-well n- and p-channel spatial wavefunction-switched field-effect transistors (SWS-FETs). This is achieved by incorporating high-k lattice-matched ZnS–ZnMgS gate dielectric layers resulting in low interface charge. Quantum simulations show switching of electron wavefunction from the lower to the upper Si quantum well in the n-channel as the gate voltage is increased. In the p-channel case, the hole wavefunction switches from the upper to the lower SiGe quantum well. The novelty is in the use of high-mobility metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS)-gate modulation-doped (MOD) SWS-FETs. The low-threshold lattice-matched gate insulator SWS-FETs are scalable to sub-7 nm and are compatible with quantum-dot nonvolatile random-access memories (QD-NVRAMs). In terms of multivalued logic (MVL) gates, our circuit simulations using the Berkeley Short-channel IGFET Model (BSIM)-based analog behavioral model (ABM) have shown two-bit/four-state output–input transfer characteristics in SWS-complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverters having two Si/SiGe quantum-well channels. In addition, two-bit static random-access memories (SRAMs) are designed, resulting in significantly reduced FET count and power dissipation. Finally, integration of multivalued SWS-CMOS logic, multibit QD-NVRAM cells, and SWS-based SRAMs and registers is presented.

A Novel Peripheral Circuit for SWSFET Based Multivalued Static Random-Access Memory

This paper presents the peripheral circuitry for a multivalued static random-access memory (SRAM) based on 2-bit CMOS cross-coupled inverters using spatial wavefunction switched (SWS) field effect transistors (SWSFETs). The novel feature is a two quantum well/quantum dot channel n-SWSFET access transistor. The reduction in area with four-bit storage-per-cell increases the memory density and efficiency of the SRAM array. The SWSFET has vertically stacked two-quantum well/quantum dot channels between the source and drain regions. The upper or lower quantum charge locations in the channel region is based on the input gate voltage. The analog behavioral modeling (ABM) of the SWSFET device is done using conventional BSIM 3V3 device parameters in 90 nm technology. The Cadence circuit simulations for the proposed memory cell and addressing/peripheral circuitry are presented.

Multi-State 2-Bit CMOS Logic Using n- and p- Quantum Well Channel Spatial Wavefunction Switched (SWS) FETs

Unlike conventional FETs, spatial wavefunction switched (SWS)-FETs are comprised of two or more vertically stacked coupled quantum well or quantum dot channels, and the spatial location of carriers within these channels is used to encode the logic states (00), (01), (10) and (11). The aim of this paper is to present 4-states/2-bit output-input transfer characteristics using two Si/SiGe quantum well channels configured as CMOS using n- and p-channel spatial wavefunction switched field-effect transistors (SWS-FETs). Quantum simulations show switching of wavefunctions as the gate voltage is increased from lower Si quantum well to the upper well in n-channel and from upper SiGe quantum well to lower well in the p-channel. The inverter transfer characteristic and current switching are obtained by integrating BSIM (Berkeley Short-channel IGFET Model) and the Analog Behavioral Model (ABM). The simulation shows current flow only during switching.

MUX-DEMUX using a Spatial Wave-Function Switched Field Effect Transistor (SWSFET)

A spatial wave-function switched field effect transistor (SWSFET) conducts through different channels within its structure. The switching of charge carriers between different channels can be controlled by the gate voltage. The self-consistent Schrodinger and Poisson equation solution can explain the switching of charge population in different channels of a SWSFET. A circuit model is developed by modifying the BSIM 3.2.2 IGFET (Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor) model. Different circuits can be designed for a SWSFET with less circuit elements than conventional CMOS. The innovative circuit design using the SWSFET can make only electrons participate in the circuit operation with better performance. This work discusses the design of an ultrafast 3-in-1 multiplexer and 1-to-3 demultiplexer using the SWSFET where only one SWSFET is used to design the circuit.

Spatial Wavefunction Switched (SWS) FET SRAM Circuits and Simulation

This paper presents the design and simulation of static random access memory (SRAM) using two channel spatial wavefunction switched field-effect transistor (SWS-FET), also known as a twin-drain metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOS-FET). In the SWS-FET, the channel between source and drain has two quantum well layers separated by a high band gap material between them. The gate voltage controls the charge carrier concentration in the quantum well layers and it causes the switching of charge carriers from one channel to other channel of the device. The standard SRAM circuit has six transistors (6T), two p-type MOS-FET and four n-type MOS-FET. By using the SWSFET, the size and the number of transistors are reduced and all of transistors are n-channel SWS-FET. This paper proposes two different models of the SWS-FET SRAM circuits with three transistors (3T) and four transistors (4T) also addresses the stability of the proposed SWS-FET SRAM circuits by using the N-curve analysis. The proposed models are based on integration between Berkeley Shortchannel IGFET Model (BSIM) and Analog Behavioral Model (ABM), the model is suitable to investigate the gates configuration and transient analysis at circuit level.

Design of Three bit ADC and DAC Using Spatial Wave-function Switched SWSFETs

The spatial wave-function switched field effect transistor (SWSFET) has two or three low band-gap quantum well channels inside the substrate of the semiconductor. The applied voltage at the gate region of the SWSFET, switches the charge carrier concentration in different channels from the source to the drain region. The switching of the electron wave function in different channels can be explained by the device model of the SWSFET. A circuit model of a SWSFET is developed in the Berkeley Short Channel IGFET Model (BSIM) 4.0.0. The design of a three bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) using SWSFET is explained in this work. Advanced circuit design using fewer SWSFETs will reduce the device count in future analog and digital circuit design.

Logic Gates Design and Simulation Using Spatial Wavefunction Switched (SWS) FETs

This paper presents the design and modeling of logic gates using two channel spatial wavefunction switched field-effect transistors (SWSFETs) it is also known as a twin-drain MOSFET. In SWSFETs, the channel between source and drain has two or more quantum wells (QWs) layers separated by a high band gap material between them. The gate voltage controls the charge carrier concentration in the two quantum wells layers and it causes the switching of charge carriers from one channel to other channel of the device. The first part of this paper shows the characteristics of n-channel SWSFET model, the second part provides the circuit topology for the SWSFET inverter and universal gates- NAND, AND, NOR,OR, XOR and XOR. The proposed model is based on integration between Berkeley Short-channel IGFET Model (BSIM) and Analog Behavioral Model (ABM), the model is suitable to investigate the gates configuration and transient analysis at circuit level. The results show that all basic two-input logic gates can be implanted by using n-channel SWSFET only, It covers less area compared with CMOS (Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) gates. The NAND-NOR can be performed by three SWSFET, moreover the exclusive-NOR “XNOR” can be done by four SWSFET transistors also AND, OR, XOR gates require two additional SWSFET for inverting.

Novel Multiplexer Design Using Multi-State Spatial Wavefunction-Switched (SWS) FETs

In this paper, we propose a multiplexer design based on use of a twin channel and twin drain spatial wavefunction-switched field-effect transistors (SWSFETs). SWSFET comprises of vertically stacked coupled quantum wells devices, which are the channels, where depending on the gate voltage only one of the channels is in conduction mode. Using SWSFET in multi-channel and single drain configuration operates as a multi-valued logic device. 2:1 and 4:2 multiplexer designs are proposed which are compatible with current CMOS technology and with all SWSFET. Both designs lead to greater than 4X reduction in transistor count. Ngspice simulation of circuits is also presented.

Sequential Logic Circuits Using Spatial Wavefunction Switched (SWS) FETs

The spatial wavefunction-switched field-effect transistor (SWSFET) is one of the promising quantum well devices that transfers electrons from one quantum well channel to the other channel based on the applied gate voltage. This eliminates the use of more transistors as we have coupled channels in the same device operating at different threshold voltages. This feature can be exploited in many digital integrated circuits thus reducing the count of transistors which translates to less die area. The simulations of basic sequential circuits like SR latch, D latch and flip flop are presented here using SWSFET based logic gates. The circuit model of a SWSFET was developed using Berkeley short channel IGFET model (BSIM 3).

Unipolar Logic Gates Based on Spatial Wave-Function Switched FETs

The spatial wave-function switched field-effect transistor (SWSFET) has two or three low bandgap quantum well channels that can conduct carrier flow from source to drain of the SWSFET. Because of this property, SWSFETs are useful to implement different multivalued logic with reduced device count. In this paper, we introduce the circuit model of a SWSFET and the design of a unipolar inverter where only one kind of charge carrier contributes to the current flow. We also simulate two input unipolar logic gates such as NAND and NOR and demonstrate their universal property to implement other unipolar logic gates. We also simulate NOR gate and full adder circuits based on unipolar logic gates.

Design of four-state inverter based on spatial wave-function switched FETs

A spatial wave-function switched field effect transistor (SWSFET) conducts current from the source to the drain region through different channels inside the FET based on the applied gate voltage. A circuit model of SWSFET is developed by modifying Berkeley short-channel IGFET model (BSIM 3.2.0), and a four-state inverter is designed based on that model. This four-state inverter may become a key element in future quaternary logic circuit design.

Implementation of Membership Function using Spatial Wave-Function Switched FETs

Spatial wave-function switched field effect transistor (SWSFET) switches the current flow between different channels inside the FET based on the applied voltage in its gate terminal. SWSFET can be used to implement multi-valued logic circuit with less number of circuit elements. Recently we presented unipolar inverter circuit using SWSFET. In this paper we develop a circuit model of SWSFET based on BSIM 3.2.0 and BSIM 3.2.4 and implement membership function using that circuit model of SWSFET. The spatial wave-function switched field effect transistor (SWSFET) has two or three low band-gap quantum well channels inside the substrate of the semiconductor. Applied voltage at the gate region of the SWSFET, switches the charge carrier concentration in different channels from source to drain region. A circuit model of SWSFET is developed in BSIM 3.2.0. Membership function is implemented using the circuit model of the SWSFET. Membership function implementation using less number of SWSFET will reduce the device count in future analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuits.

Compact Low-Power Analog-to-Digital Converters using Multi-State Spatial Wavefunction-Switched (SWS) FETs

In this paper, we propose a new architecture for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) using multistate spatial wavefunction-switched field-effect transistors (SWSFETs). SWSFETs are multiple quantum coupled well devices, where the wells are stacked vertically and the electron wavefunction switches from one well to another with the change in gate voltage. Quantum mechanical simulations of 3-well InGaAs-AlInAs SWSFET structures are presented. The designs and simulations of 2-bit and 3-bit ADCs using SWSFETs result in low power consumption and reduced device count which improves the speed of the data conversion.

Ge-ZnSSe Spatial Wavefunction Switched (SWS) FETs to Implement Multibit SRAMs and Novel Quaternary Logic

This paper describes novel multibit static random-access memories (SRAMs) implemented using four-channel spatial wavefunction switched field-effect transistors (SWS FETs) with Ge quantum wells and ZnSSe barriers. A two-bit SRAM cell consists of two back-to-back connected four-channel SWS FETs, where each SWS FET serves as a quaternary inverter. This architecture results in a reduction of the field-effect transistor (FET) count by 75% and data interconnect density by 50%. The designed two-bit SRAM cell is simulated using Berkeley short-channel insulated-gate field-effect transistor equivalent-channel models (for 25-nm FETs). In addition, the binary interface logic and conversion circuitry are designed to integrate the SWS SRAM technology. Our motivation is to stack up multiple bits on a single SRAM cell without multiplying the transistor count. The concept of spatial wavefunction switching (SWS) in the FET structure has been verified experimentally for two- and four-well structures. Quantum simulations exhibiting SWS in four-well Ge SWS FET structures, using the ZnSe/ZnS/ZnMgS/ZnSe gate insulator, are presented. These structures offer higher contrast than Si-SiGe SWS FETs.

Future Semiconductor Devices for Multi-Valued Logic Circuit Design

This paper introduces future devices for multi-valued logic implementation. Quantum dot gate field effect transistor (QDGFET) works based on the change in threshold voltage due to stored charge in the quantum dots in the gate region. Quantum dot channel field effect transistor (QDCFET) produces more number of states in their transfer characteristics because of charge flow through the mini-band structure formed by the overlapping energy bands of the neighboring quantum dots in the channel region of the FET. On the other hand spatial wave-function switched field effect transistor (SWSFET) produces more number of states in its transfer characteristic based on the switching of charge carriers from one channel to other channel of the device. In this paper we discuss QDGFET, QDCFET and SWSFET in detail to explore their application in future multi-valued logic circuits.