1/f noise in n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors under different hot-carrier stresses

Abstract

Degradation mechanisms contributing to increased 1/f noise of n-channel metaloxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (n-MOSFETs) after different hot-carrier stresses are investigated. It is demonstrated that for any hot-carrier stress, the stress-induced enhancement of 1/f noise is mainly attributed to increased carrier-number fluctuation arising from created oxide traps, while enhanced surface-mobility fluctuation associated with electron trapping at preexisting and generated fast interface states and near-interface oxide traps is also responsible under maximum substrate- and gate-current stresses. Besides thermal-oxide n-MOSFETs, nitrided-oxide devices are also used to further support the above analysis. © 1999 American Institute of Physics.