Introduction to

Semiconductor Module

VERSION 4.4
Introduction to the Semiconductor Module
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Contents

The Semiconductor Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Semiconductor Module Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
The Semiconductor Module Physics Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Physics Interface List by Space Dimension and Preset Study Type 9
The Model Libraries Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET. . . . . . . . . 11

|i
ii |
The Semiconductor Module

Device engineers and physicists use the Semiconductor Module to design and
understand semiconductor devices. For many years semiconductor device design
has been closely associated with the use of simulation tools due to the high cost of
prototyping new devices and processes. Multiphysics effects often play an
important role in semiconductor devices and COMSOL is the ideal platform on
which to investigate these effects.
The Semiconductor Module enables the stationary and dynamic performance of
devices to be modeled in one, two and three dimensions, together with
circuit-based modeling of active and passive devices. In the frequency domain, it
is possible to model devices driven by a combination of AC and DC signals. A
predefined Semiconductor Interface can be used to model a huge range of
semiconductor devices and can be straightforwardly coupled with other physics
interfaces to model phenomena such as heat generation and transport.
The Semiconductor physics interface solves the Semiconductor equations by
either the finite volume or the finite element method. The interface solves a set of
coupled partial differential equations for the electric potential and for the electron
and hole concentrations (or their logarithm in the case of the finite element
method log formulation). The corresponding initial and boundary conditions are
easily specified in the physics interface. COMSOL’s design emphasizes the physics
by providing users with the equations solved by each feature and by offering full
access to the underlying equation system. A detailed manual provides complete
information on the theory underlying the Semiconductor interface. There is also
tremendous flexibility to add user-defined equations and expressions to the
system. For example user defined mobility models can be readily specified simply
by typing appropriate expressions into the user defined feature, no scripting or
coding is required. These user defined models can be combined arbitrarily with
the pre-defined models built into the software. When COMSOL compiles the
equations the complex couplings generated by these user-defined expressions are
automatically included in the equation system. The equations are then solved
using a range of state of the art solvers. Once a solution is obtained a vast range of
postprocessing tools are available to interrogate the data, and predefined plots are
automatically generated to show the device response. COMSOL offers the
flexibility to evaluate a wide range of physical quantities including predefined
quantities such as the electron and hole currents (including current components
from drift, diffusion and thermal diffusion), the electric field and the temperature
(available through easy-to-use menus), as well as arbitrary user-defined
expressions.

The Semiconductor Module |1

To model a Semiconductor device the geometry is first defined in the software.
Then appropriate materials are selected and the Semiconductor interface is added.
The dopant distribution can be computed separately using a diffusion equation
calculation, imported from third party software or specified empirically using the
built in Semiconductor Doping Model feature. Initial conditions and boundary
conditions are set up within the interface. Next, the mesh is defined and a solver
is selected. Finally the results are visualized. All these steps are accessed from the
COMSOL Desktop. The solvers are usually set up automatically with default
settings, which are appropriate for solving the relevant equations.

2 | The Semiconductor Module

Semiconductor Module Applications

The semiconductor module can be applied to solve a range of device simulation

problems. The semiconductor interface can be straightforwardly coupled with a
range of other physics interfaces, such as the heat transfer in solids interface and
the electrical circuits interface. Coupling to a circuit is straightforward using the
terminals included with all the boundary conditions. Figure 1 shows results
obtained from a 2D pn junction model in which a device model of a diode is
coupled to an electrical circuit to produce a rectifier. The electron and hole
concentrations are shown in the device when different voltages are applied to the
circuit as a whole.

Holes Electrons Log of carrier

3
concentration (1/cm )
Bias

+5 V

0V

-5 V

Figure 1: Electron and hole concentrations in a pn-junction diode connected to a series resistor under
different bias conditions. This plot shows clearly the changing geometry and extent of the depletion region
under reverse bias.

A range of common device types can be simulated with the module, including
MOSFETs, MESFETS, JFETS, diodes and Bipolar Transistors. These devices can
be analyzed for the stationary case, in the time domain or in the frequency domain,
with mixed DC and AC signals, using the small signal analysis study type. A range
of standard analyses are illustrated with the MOSFET model series. The first

Semiconductor Module Applications |3

model in the MOSFET series is described in the section “Tutorial Example: DC
Characteristics of a MOSFET”, below. Figure 2 shows some of the results
obtained from this analysis.

Electron concentration Vd=1, Vg=2

Electron concentration Vd=0, Vg=2

Signed dopant concentration

Figure 2: Stationary analysis of a MOSFET. The plot on the left shows the drain current plotted against
the drain voltage (Vd) for a range of different values of the gate voltage (Vg). The electron concentration
is shown at a gate voltage of 2V and for two different drain voltages in the figure on the right, along with
the signed dopant concentration (Nd - Na, where Nd is the donor concentration and Na is the acceptor
concentration).

In addition to the MOSFET model series, individual models show simple

examples of other device simulations. Example models include a MESFET, a
junction diode and a Bipolar Transistor. Figure 3 shows the total current flowing
in a simple 2D Bipolar transistor. The Semiconductor interface includes a wide
range of predefined variables that can be used to access various current
components, such as the electron and hole currents as well as the individual
contributions to the current from the mobility/electric field, from diffusion and
form thermal diffusion.

4 | Semiconductor Module Applications

Figure 3: Log of the current density in A/cm2 (color) and direction of the current flow (arrows) in a simple
2D bipolar transistor.

Semiconductor Module Applications |5

The Semiconductor Module Physics Guide

The Semiconductor physics interface is used to set up a simulation problem. Each

physics interface expresses the relevant physical phenomena in the form of sets of
partial or ordinary differential equations, together with appropriate boundary and
initial conditions. Each feature added to the interface represents a term or
condition in the underlying equation set. These features are usually associated
with a geometric entity within the model, such as a domain, boundary, edge (for
3D models), or point. Figure 4 uses the MOSFET model library example to show
the Model Builder and the settings window for the selected Semiconductor
Material Model 1 feature node. This node adds the semiconductor equations to
the simulation within the domains selected. In the Model Input section the
temperature of the material is specified. It is straightforward to link this
temperature to a separate heat transfer interface to solve non-isothermal
problems—the semiconductor interface automatically defines an appropriate heat
source term that can be readily accessed in the heat transfer interface. In the
Material Properties section the settings indicate that the relative permittivity and
the band gap are inherited from the material properties assigned to the domain.
The material properties can be set up as functions of other dependent variables in
the model, for example, the temperature. The dopant density is specified by means
of multiple additive doping features, which can be used to combine Gaussian and
user defined dopant density profiles to produce the desired profile. Several
boundary conditions are also indicated in the model tree. The Ohmic Contact
boundary condition is commonly used to model non-rectifying interconnects.
The Thin Insulating Gate feature models a gate with a thickness smaller than the
typical length scale of the mesh. It is also possible to model gates explicitly, solving
Poisson’s equation within the dielectric.

6 | The Semiconductor Module Physics Guide

 Highlighted
node shown in
settings window

Additive
doping
features
Boundary
conditions

Equations added
by the feature

Material
temperature

Material properties are obtained from the

Built-In material library in this model

Figure 4: The Model Builder (to the left), and the Semiconductor Material Model1 settings window for
the selected feature node (to the right). The Equation section in the settings window shows the model
equations.

The Semiconductor Module includes a number of interfaces to enable modeling

of different physical situations encountered in device design. When a new model
is started, these interfaces are selected from the Model Wizard. Figure 5 shows the
Model Wizard with the physics interfaces included with the Semiconductor
module. Also see “Physics Interface List by Space Dimension and Preset Study
Type” on page 9. Below, a brief overview of each of the Semiconductor Module

The Semiconductor Module Physics Guide |7

physics interfaces is given

Figure 5: The Semiconductor Module physics interfaces as displayed in the Model Wizard. Note that this
is for 3D models.

E LECTROSTATICS
The Electrostatics interface ( ), found under the AC/DC branch in the Model
Wizard, solves for the electric potential given the charge distribution in the
domain and the voltages applied to boundaries. It is used to model electrostatic
devices under static or quasi-static conditions, that is at frequencies sufficiently low
that wave propagation effects can be neglected. Many of the features of the
Electrostatics interface are included in the Semiconductor Interface, where they
effect the solution of the electric potential.

E LECTRICAL C IRCUIT
The Electrical Circuit interface ( ), found under the AC/DC branch in the
Model Wizard, has the equations to model electrical circuits with or without
connections to a distributed fields model. The interface solves for the voltages,
currents, and charges associated with the circuit elements. Circuit models can
contain passive elements like resistors, capacitors, and inductors as well as active
elements such as diodes and transistors. Circuits can be imported from an existing
SPICE net list. A typical application of this interface would be to consider the
effect of series or parallel lumped components on device behavior.

S EMICONDUCTOR
The Semiconductor interface ( ), found under the Semiconductor branch in the
Model Wizard, solves the Semiconductor equations including the equations of
electrostatics. The interface allows both insulating and semiconducting domains
to be modeled. The equations account fully for thermal effects, and the interface
can be coupled to a heat transfer interface using the temperature model input and
the predefined heat source term. This interface is appropriate for modeling
Semiconductor devices.

8 | The Semiconductor Module Physics Guide

Physics Interface List by Space Dimension and Preset Study Type
The table below list the physics interfaces available specifically with this module in
addition to the COMSOL Multiphysics basic license.

INTERFACE ICON TAG SPACE AVAILABLE PRESET STUDY TYPE

DIMENSION
AC/DC

Electrical Circuit cir Not space stationary; frequency domain;

dependent time dependent
Electrostatics* es all dimensions stationary; time dependent;
eigenfrequency; frequency
domain; small signal analysis,
frequency domain
Semiconductor

Semiconductor semi all dimensions stationary; time dependent;

small signal analysis, frequency
domain
* This is an enhanced interface, which is included with the base COMSOL package but has
added functionality for this module.

The Semiconductor Module Physics Guide |9

The Model Libraries Window

To open a Semiconductor Module model library model, click Blank Model in the
New screen. Then on the Home or Main toolbar click Model Libraries . In the
Model Libraries window that opens, expand the Semiconductor Module folder
and browse or search the contents.
Click Open Model to open the model in COMSOL Multiphysics or click
Open PDF Document to read background about the model including the
step-by-step instructions to build it. The MPH-files in the COMSOL model
library can have two formats—Full MPH-files or Compact MPH-files.
• Full MPH-files, including all meshes and solutions. In the Model Libraries
window these models appear with the icon. If the MPH-file’s size
exceeds 25MB, a tip with the text “Large file” and the file size appears when
you position the cursor at the model’s node in the Model Libraries tree.
• Compact MPH-files with all settings for the model but without built meshes
and solution data to save space on the DVD (a few MPH-files have no
solutions for other reasons). You can open these models to study the settings
and to mesh and re-solve the models. It is also possible to download the full
versions—with meshes and solutions—of most of these models when you
update your model library. These models appear in the Model Libraries
window with the icon. If you position the cursor at a compact model in
the Model Libraries window, a No solutions stored message appears. If a full
MPH-file is available for download, the corresponding node’s context menu
includes a Download Full Model item ( ).
To check all available Model Libraries updates, select Update COMSOL Model
Library ( ) from the File>Help menu (Windows users) or from the Help menu
(Mac and Linux users).
A model from the model library is used as a tutorial in this guide. See “Tutorial
Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET” on page 11.

10 | The Model Libraries Window

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

This tutorial calculates the DC characteristics of a MOS (metal-oxide

semiconductor) transistor. The MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field-effect
transistor) is by far the most common semiconductor device, and the primary
building block in all commercial processors, memories, and digital integrated
circuits. Since the first microprocessors were introduced approximately 40 years
ago this device has experienced tremendous development, and today it is being
manufactured with feature sizes of 22 nm and smaller.
The MOSFET is essentially a miniaturized switch. In this example the source and
drain contacts (the input and output of the switch) are both Ohmic (low
resistance) contacts to heavily doped n-type regions of the device. Between these
two contacts is a region of p-type semiconductor. The gate contact lies above the
p-type semiconductor, slightly overlapping the two n-type regions. It is separated
from the semiconductor by a thin layer of Silicon oxide, so that it forms a capacitor
with the underlying semiconductor. Applying a voltage to the gate changes the
local band structure beneath it through the Field Effect. A sufficiently high voltage
can cause the semiconductor to change from p-type to n-type in a thin layer (the
channel) underneath the gate. This is known as inversion and the channel is
sometimes referred to as the inversion layer. The channel connects the two n-type
regions of semiconductor with a thin n-type region under the gate. This region
has a significantly lower resistance than the series resistance of the np/pn junctions
that separated the source and the gate before the gate voltage produced the
inversion layer. Consequently applying a gate voltage can be used to change the
resistance of the device from a high to a low value. The gate voltage where a
significant current begins to flow is called the threshold or turn-on voltage.
Figure 6 shows a schematic MOSFET with the main electrical connections
highlighted. Figure 7 shows an electron microscope image of a modern MOSFET
device.

insulator VGS VDS

gate
source drain
n+ n +
p

base
VBS
Figure 6: Schematic diagram of a typical MOSFET. The current flows from the source to the gate through
a channel underneath the gate. The size of the channel is controlled by the gate voltage.

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 11

Figure 7: Cross-section TEM (transmission electron microscopy) image of a 50 nm gate length MOSFET
fabricated at KTH Electrum laboratory by P.E Hellström and co-workers within the ERC advanced grant
OSIRIS research project headed by Prof. M. Östling.

As the voltage between the drain and the source is increased the current carried by
the channel eventually saturates through a process known as pinch-off, in which
the channel narrows at one end due to the effect of the field parallel to the surface.
The channel width is controlled by the gate voltage. Typically a larger gate voltage
results in wider channel and consequently a lower resistance for a given drain
voltage. Additionally the saturation current is larger for a higher gate voltage.

Source Gate Drain

Base
Figure 8: Model geometry showing the external connections.

Figure 8 shows the model geometry, indicating how the geometry elements
correspond to features in Figure 6. In this model both the source and the base are
connected to ground and the voltages applied to the drain and the gate are varied.
In the first study a small voltage (50 mV) is applied to the Drain and the Gate
voltage is swept from 0 to 5 V. A plot of the current flowing between the source
and the drain is used to determine the turn-on voltage of the device. The second
study sweeps the drain voltage from 0 to 5 V at three different values of the gate

12 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

voltage (2, 3 and 4 V). The drain current vs. drain voltage is then plotted at several
values of the gate voltage.

M o d e l W i z a rd

Note: These instructions are for the user interface on Windows but apply, with
minor differences, also to Linux and Mac.
1 To start the software, double-click the COMSOL icon on the desktop. When
the software opens, you can choose to use the Model Wizard to create a new
COMSOL model or Blank Model to create one manually. For this tutorial, click
the Model Wizard button.
If COMSOL is already open, you can start the Model Wizard by selecting
New from the File menu and then click Model Wizard .
The Model Wizard guides you through the first steps of setting up a model. The
next window lets you select the dimension of the modeling space.
2 In the Space Dimension window, click the 2D button .
3 In the Select physics tree, select Semiconductor>Semiconductor (semi) .
4 Click Add. Click the Study button .
5 In the tree, select Preset Studies>Stationary .
6 Click Done .

Global Definitions

Parameters
1 On the Home toolbar, click Parameters .
Note: On Linux and Mac, the Home toolbar refers to the specific set of controls
near the top of the Desktop.
2 In the Parameters settings window, locate the Parameters section.

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 13

3 In the table, enter the following settings:

NAME EXPRESSION DESCRIPTION

Vd 10[mV] Drain Voltage

Vg 2[V] Gate Voltage

Geometr y 1

The geometry can be specified using COMSOL's built in tools. First choose to
define geometry objects using micrometer units.
1 In the Model Builder, under Component 1 click Geometry 1 .
2 In the Geometry settings window, locate the Units section.
3 From the Length unit list, choose µm.

Rectangle 1
Next create a rectangle to define the geometry extents.
1 In the Model Builder, right click Geometry 1 and choose Rectangle .
2 In the Rectangle settings window, locate the Size section.
3 In the Width field, type 5.

Polygon 1
Add a polygon that includes points to define the source, drain and gate contacts.
1 In the Model Builder, right click Geometry 1 and choose Polygon .
2 In the Polygon settings window, locate the Object Type section.
3 From the Type list, choose Closed curve.
4 Locate the Coordinates section. In the x field, type 0 0 1 1.75 3.25 4 5 5.
5 In the y field, type 0.5 1 1 1 1 1 1 0.5.
6 Click the Build All Objects button .

14 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

Mate rials

Next the material properties are added to the model.

1 On the Home toolbar, click Add Material .

Add Material
1 Go to the Add Material window.
2 In the tree, select Semiconductors>Si.
3 Click Add to Component 1.

Semiconductor

Next the physics settings must be defined. Start by defining the doping.
1 In the Model Builder, under Component 1 click Semiconductor .
2 In the Semiconductor settings window, locate the Model Properties section.
3 From the Carrier statistics list, choose Fermi-Dirac.

Semiconductor Doping Model 1

First a constant background acceptor concentration is defined.
1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Domains menu and choose Semiconductor
Doping Model .
2 In the Semiconductor Doping Model settings window, locate the Domain
Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.
4 Locate the Doping Profile section. From the Dopant type list, choose Acceptor
doping (p-type).
5 In the NA0 field, type 1e17[1/cm^3].

Semiconductor Doping Model 2

First a constant background acceptor concentration is defined.
1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Domains menu and choose Semiconductor
Doping Model .
2 In the Semiconductor Doping Model settings window, locate the Domain
Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 15

4 Locate the Doping section. From the Dopant distribution list, choose Gaussian.
When defining a Gaussian doping distribution a rectangular region of constant
doping is defined. The Gaussian drop off occurs away from the edges of this
rectangular region.
First define the location of the lower left corner of the uniformly doped region.
5 Locate the Uniformly Doped Region section. Specify the r0 vector as

0[um] X

0.9[um] Y

Then define the width and height of the uniformly doped region.
6 In the W edit field, type 1.6[um].
7 In the H edit field, type 0.25[um].
Choose the dopant type and the doping level in the uniformly doped region.
8 Locate the Doping Distribution section. From the Dopant type list, choose
Donor doping.
9 In the ND0 edit field, type 1e20[1/cm^3].
Next specify the length scale over which the Gaussian drop off occurs. If doping
into a background dopant distribution of opposite type (as in this case), this
setting specifies the junction depth. In this model different length scales are used
in the x and y directions.
10Select the Specify different depths for each direction check box.
11Specify the dj vector as

0.3[um] X

0.45[um] Y

Finally specify the constant background doping level.

12From the Nb list, choose Acceptor concentration (user defined) (semi/sdm1).

Semiconductor Doping Model 3

Add a similar Gaussian doping profile for the drain.

16 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Domains menu and choose Semiconductor
Doping Model .

2 In the Semiconductor Doping Model settings window, locate the Domain

Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.
4 Locate the Doping section. From the Dopant distribution list, choose Gaussian.
5 Locate the Uniformly Doped Region section. Specify the r0 vector as

3.4[um] X

0.9[um] Y

6 In the W edit field, type 1.6[um].

7 In the H edit field, type 0.25[um].
8 Locate the Doping Distribution section. Select the Specify different depths for
each direction check box.
9 From the Dopant type list, choose Donor doping.
10In the ND0 edit field, type 1e20[1/cm^3].
11Specify the dj vector as

0.3[um] X

0.45[um] Y

12From the Nb list, choose Acceptor concentration (user defined) (semi/sdm1).

Next set up boundary conditions for the contacts and gate.

Metal Contact 1
First add a contact for the source.

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 17

1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Boundaries menu and choose Metal
Contact .
The Metal Contact feature is used to define Metal-Semiconductor interfaces of
various types. In this instance we use the default Ideal Ohmic contact to define the
source.
2 Select Boundary 5 only.
Note: The Metal Contact feature in COMSOL is a terminal boundary condition.
By default a fixed potential of 0 V is applied, which is appropriate in this instance,
since the source is grounded. The terminal can also be set up to specify a constant
current or to connect to an external circuit.

Metal Contact 2
Add a second Metal Contact feature to define the drain.
1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Boundaries menu and choose Metal
Contact .
2 Select Boundary 9 only.
Set the drain voltage to be determined by the previously defined parameter.
3 In the Metal Contact settings window, locate the Terminal section.
4 In the V0 edit field, type Vd.

Metal Contact 3
Add a third Metal Contact to set the body voltage to 0 V.
1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Boundaries menu and choose Metal
Contact .
2 Select Boundary 2 only.

Thin Insulator Gate 1

Set up the Gate. The Gate dielectric is not explicitly represented in the model,
instead the Thin Insulator Gate boundary condition represents both the gate
contact and the thin layer of oxide.
1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Boundaries menu and choose Thin Insulator
Gate .
The Thin Insulator Gate feature is also a terminal, but in this instance it is possible
to fix the voltage or charge on the terminal, as well as to connect it to a circuit.
Note: The charge setting determines the charge on the terminal and does not
relate to trapped charge at the interface.
The voltage applied to the gate is determined by the parameter previously added.
2 In the V0 edit field, type Vg.

18 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

3 Locate the Gate Contact section. In the ins edit field, type 4.5.
4 In the dins edit field, type 20[nm].
5 Select Boundary 7 only.

Shockley-Reed-Hall Recombination 1
A range of recombination/generation mechanisms are available to be added to the
model. In this case we simply add SRH recombination.
1 On the Physics toolbar, click the Domains menu and choose
Generation-Recombination>Shockley-Reed-Hall Recombination .
2 In the Shockley-Reed-Hall Recombination settings window, locate the Domain
Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.

Me sh 1

The physics-based mesh settings can be used for this model, but the default
element size needs refining slightly to properly resolve the region under the gate.
1 In the Model Builder, under Component 1 click Mesh 1 .
2 In the Mesh settings window, locate the Mesh Settings section.
3 From the Element size list, choose Finer.
4 Click the Build All button .

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 19

The mesh is shown in the image below.

Study 1

Before setting up the study, check that the doping was set up correctly. To do this,
first get the initial value for the study.
1 In the Model Builder click Study 1 .
Disable the default plots since these are not required.
2 In the Study settings window, locate the Study Settings section.
3 Click to clear the Generate default plots check box.
4 On the Study toolbar click Get Initial Value .

Results

Add a 2D plot group to check the dopant distribution in the model.

20 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

1 On the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 2D Plot
Group .

2D Plot Group 1
1 On the 2D Plot Group toolbar click Surface .
Plot the signed dopant concentration (Nd-Na). This quantity is positive for net
donor doping and negative for net acceptor doping.
2 In the Model Builder under Results>2D Plot Group 1, click Surface 1.
3 In the Surface settings window click Replace Expression (it is in the
upper-right corner of the y-Axis Data section). In the menu, double-click
Semiconductor>Carrier Concentrations> Signed dopant concentration
([Link]).
4 Click the Plot button .
The doping distribution is shown below.

1 Click 2D Plot Group 1 and press F2.

2 Go to the Rename 2D Plot Group dialog box and type Signed Dopant
Concentration in the New name edit field.
3 Click OK.

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 21

Study 1

Step 1: Stationary
Now set up a Stationary study to determine the turn-on voltage for the transistor.
In this study we set to 50 mV and sweep over Vd.
1 In the Model Builder under Study 1, click Step 1: Stationary .
2 In the Stationary settings window, click to expand the Study extensions section.
The study extensions panel can be used to set up a parametric sweep.
3 Locate the Study Extensions section. Select the Auxiliary sweep check box.
4 From the Sweep type list, choose All combinations.
Choose all combinations to sweep over every combination of the two
parameters.
5 Click Add .
6 In the table, enter the following settings:

AUXILIARY PARAMETER PARAMETER VALUE LIST

Vd 0.01

The drain voltage is fixed at a constant value.

7 Click Add .
8 Click Range .
9 Go to the Range dialog box.
- In the Start edit field, type 0.
- In the Step edit field, type 0.2.
- In the Stop edit field, type 5.
10Click the Replace button.
The gate voltage is swept between 0 and 5 V.
11In the Stationary settings window, locate the Study Extensions section.
12From the Run continuation for list, choose Vg.
Selecting Vg in the Run continuation for dialog configures the solver to use the
solution for the previous parameter as the initial guess for the solution. It also
allows the solver to take intermediate steps at values of Vg not specified in the
list if necessary.
13On the Home toolbar click Compute .

22 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

Results

Add a 1D plot group to plot the source current vs the gate voltage.
1 On the Home toolbar click Add Plot Group and choose 1D Plot
Group .

1D Plot Group 2
1 On the 1D Plot Group toolbar click Global .
The postprocessing menus contain a wide range of quantities available for
plotting. Choose the current flowing out of terminal 1.
2 In the Model Builder under Results>1D Plot Group 2, click Global 1 .
3 In the Global settings window click Replace Expression (it is in the
upper-right corner of the y-Axis Data section). In the menu, double-click
Semiconductor>Terminals Group>Terminal Current (semi.I0_1).
4 Click the Plot button .

5 In the Model Builder, right-click 1D Plot Group 2 and choose Rename.

6 Go to the Rename 1D Plot Group dialog box and type Id vs Vg (Vd=10mV)
in the New name edit field.
7 Click OK.

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 23

From the plot it is clear that the threshold voltage, VT, of the transistor is
approximately 0.8 V. It is possible to compare this value with the theoretical value
given by (S. M. Sze and K. K. Ng, Physics of Semiconductor Devices, Wiley,
Hoboken, New Jersey, 2007, pp. 305–306):
1
---
2
d ox  4 r ,s  0 qN a  B 
V T  V FB + 2 B + -------------------------------------------------------
 r ,ox  0

where dox is the thickness of the oxide and r,ox is its relative permittivity, 0 is the
permittivity of free space, r,s is the relative permittivity of the semiconductor, q is
the electron charge and Na is the acceptor concentration under the gate. The flat
band voltage VFB and the potential difference between the intrinsic level and the
Fermi-level, B, are given by the following equations:
kB T n eq
V FB =  m –  + ----------- ln  --------
q Nc
kB T p eq
 B = ----------- ln  --------
q  ni 

where m is the work function of the metal contact,  is the semiconductor

electron affinity, kB is Boltzmann’s contact, T is the absolute temperature, Nc is
the semiconductor density of states in the conduction band and ni is the intrinsic
carrier density. The equilibrium electron (neq) and hole (peq) densities are given
by:
1 1 2
n eq = ---  N d – N a  + ---  N d – N a  + 4n i
2 2
1 1 2
p eq = – ---  N d – N a   ---  N d – N a  + 4n i
2 2

Where Nd is the donor concentration under the gate. Note that these equations
assume both complete ionization and Maxwell Boltzmann statistics (reasonable
assumptions in the region under the gate). These equations give a threshold
voltage of 0.76 V, in good agreement with the simulation value given the
approximations required for the analytic approach.

24 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

Study 2

Now add an additional study to plot the source current as a function of drain
voltage at a range of different gate voltages.
1 On the Home toolbar click Add Study .
2 In the Add Study window, find the Studies subsection. In the tree, select Preset
Studies>Stationary .
3 In the Add Study window, click Add Study .

Step 1: Stationary
1 In the Model Builder under Study 2, click Step 1: Stationary .
2 In the Stationary settings window locate the Study Extensions section. Select
the Auxiliary sweep check box.
3 From the Sweep type list choose All combinations.
4 Click Add .
5 In the table, select Vg as the Auxiliary Parameter.
Now set up the study to sweep over Vg. When solving for three values of the gate
voltage, this model takes approximately 20 minutes to solve. To save time it is
possible to solve only for a single gate voltage. To do this, enter 4 in the Parameter
Value List field and then skip to step 13.
6 Click Range . Go to the Range dialog box.
- In the Start edit field, type 2.
- In the Step edit field, type 1.
- In the Stop edit field, type 4.
7 Click the Replace button.
8 In the Stationary settings window, locate the Study Extensions section. Click
Add . In this case the default Auxiliary Parameter, Vd is the desired
parameter for the sweep.
9 Click Range . Go to the Range dialog box.
- In the Start edit field, type 0.
- In the Step edit field, type 0.2.
- In the Stop edit field, type 5.
10Click the Replace button.

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 25

11In the Stationary settings window, locate the Study Extensions section. From
the Run continuation for list, choose Vd.
The continuation solver should use the inner sweep over Vd, since the solution
will only change slightly between close values of Vd.
12From the Reuse solution for previous step list, choose Yes.
13On the Home toolbar click Compute .

Results

The pinch-off of the channel is apparent in the plots of the electron concentration
and the potential distribution at Vd values of 0, 1 and 5 V.

Electron Concentration (semi)

1 In the Model Builder under Results, click Electron Concentration (semi) .
By default the plot shows the results with for the case Vd=5 V and Vg=4 V.
2 In the 2D Plot Group settings window, locate the Data section. Change the Vd
Parameter value to 1 V and then to 0 V, each time selecting the Plot button
to see how the results change.

Electric Potential (semi)

1 In the Model Builder under Results, click Electric Potential (semi) .
2 Once again look at the plot for Vd values of 5 V, 1 V and 0 V.
The plots in Figure 9 show the results obtained. The pinch off effect is apparent
at 5 V.
Add another 1D plot group to plot the drain current vs the drain voltage.
1 On the Home toolbar, select Add Plot Group , and choose 1D Plot
Group .
2 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Data section.
3 From the Data set list, choose Solution 2.

26 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET

 Electron Concentration Electric Potential

Vd=5 V

Vd=1 V

Vd=0 V

Figure 9: The pinch-off of the channel is apparent in the plots of the electron concentration and the
potential distribution at Vd values of 0, 1 and 5 V.

1D Plot Group 6
1 From the 1D Plot Group menu, choose Global .
2 In the Model Builder window, under Results>1D Plot Group 6 click
Global 1 .

Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET | 27

3 In the Global settings window, click Replace Expression in the
upper-right corner of the y-Axis Data section. In the menu, double click on
Semiconductor>Terminals Group>Terminal Current (semi.I0_1).
4 Change the Unit to uA for the current.
5 Click the Plot button .

6 In the Model Builder window, right-click 1D Plot Group 6 and choose

Rename.
7 Go to the Rename 1D Plot Group dialog box and type Id vs Vd in the New
name edit field.
8 Click OK.
The drain current vs drain voltage diagram shows a linear region for low bias,
followed by a nonlinear region. The drain current increases slightly with voltage
in the saturation region at higher drain voltages, as a result of short channel effects.
Short channel effects mean that the standard analytic expressions for the saturation
voltage and current do not apply, but the saturation voltages are of a similar
magnitude to those predicted by the simple theory (S. M. Sze and K. K. Ng,
Physics of Semiconductor Devices, Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey, 2007, pp. 305–
306).

28 | Tutorial Example: DC Characteristics of a MOSFET