Vertical n-Channel Poly-Si Thin-Film Transistors With Symmetric S/D Fabricated by Ni-Silicide-Induced Lateral-Crystallization Technology

We have successfully developed and fabricated the vertical n-channel polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors with symmetric S/D fabricated by Ni-silicide-induced lateral-crystallization technology (NSILC-VTFTs). The NSILC-VTFTs are S/D symmetric devices and equivalent to dual-gate devices. The dual-gate structure of NSILC-VTFTs can moderate the lateral electrical field in the drain depletion region, significantly reducing the leakage current. In NSILC-VTFTs, the Ni accumulation and grain boundaries induced from S/D sides can be centralized in the n⁺ floating region. The effects of Ni accumulation in symmetric VTFTs crystallized by NSILC and metal-induced lateral crystallization are studied. In addition, a two-step lateral crystallization has been introduced to improve the crystal integrity through secondary crystallization. The NSILC-VTFTs crystallized by two-step lateral crystallization show a steep subthreshold swing of 180 mV/dec and field effect mobility mu = 553 cm²/Vmiddots without NH₃ plasma treatment.