Analysis of Drain-Induced Barrier Rising in Short-Channel Negative-Capacitance FETs and Its Applications

We investigate the performance of hysteresis-free short-channel negative-capacitance FETs (NCFETs) by combining quantum-mechanical calculations with the Landau-Khalatnikov equation. When the subthreshold swing (SS) becomes smaller than 60 mV/dec, a negative value of drain-induced barrier lowering is obtained. This behavior, drain-induced barrier rising (DIBR), causes negative differential resistance in the output characteristics of the NCFETs. We also examine the performance of an inverter composed of hysteresis-free NCFETs to assess the effects of DIBR at the circuit level. Contrary to our expectation, although hysteresis-free NCFETs are used, hysteresis behavior is observed in the transfer properties of the inverter. Furthermore, it is expected that the NCFET inverter with hysteresis behavior can be used as a Schmitt trigger inverter.