Generation of interface states by hot hole injection in MOSFET's

The emission of hot electrons and hot holes from n-channel MOSFET's into the gate oxide is investigated as a function of the gate bias for a given lateral electric field. The resulting electron gate current as well as the substrate current are analyzed for both the saturation and the linear regime of the transistor. In the saturation regime, a remarkable increase of interface states occurs which can be correlated with the hole generation due to avalanche multiplication in the high-field region. In this case, the electric field normal to the Si-SiO
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interface near the drain aids in the injection of hot holes along the channel which initiates acceptor-type interface states. In the linear operation regime, however, no pronounced generation of interface states can be detected.