Temperature Dependence of Electrical Characteristics of Strained nMOSFETs Using Stress Memorization Technique

The temperature dependence of the electrical characteristics of strained nMOSFETs combining stress memorization technique (SMT) process and contact etch-stop layer has been investigated. The observed higher mobility and lower gate tunneling current of SMT devices indicate higher tensile stress in the channel and prove the true transmission of SMT-process-induced stress from the deposited SiN layer. Moreover, as temperature is increased, SMT devices show less deteriorated mobility and increased gate tunneling current, which are due to decreased phonon scattering and increased tunneling barrier height, respectively.