Design of GeSn-Based Heterojunction-Enhanced N-Channel Tunneling FET With Improved Subthreshold Swing and ON-State Current

We design a heterojunction-enhanced n-channel tunneling FET (HE-NTFET) employing a Ge_1-xSn_x/Ge_1-ySn_y (x > y) heterojunction located in the channel region with a distance of L_T-H from the source-channel tunneling junction. We investigate the impact of L_T-H on the performance of HE-NTFETs by simulation. HE-NTFETs achieve a positive shift of VONSET, a steeper subthreshold swing (SS), and an enhanced ION compared with homo-NTFETs, which is attributed to the modulating effect of heterojunction on band-to-band tunneling (BTBT). At a supply voltage of 0.3 V, 304% ION enhancement is demonstrated in the Ge_0.92Sn_0.08/Ge_0.94Sn_0.06 HE-NTFET with a 4 nm L_T-H over Ge0.92Sn0.08 homo-NTFET due to the steeper average SS. The impact of Sn composition on the performance of HE-NTFETs is also studied. As we increase the difference in Sn composition x - y across the heterojunction, ION and SS of HE-NTFETs are improved due to the increase in band offsets at the Ge_1-xSn_x/Ge_1-ySn_y interface, which leads to the enhanced modulating effect of heterojunction on BTBT.