Design of oxide-based tunnel FETs using amorphous IGZO and p-type oxide semiconductors

R Ryusuke Seino (Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 1 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,) H Hidehiro Asai (Semiconductor Frontier Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 3 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,) I Ichiro Takakuwa (Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 1 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,) S Shutaro Asanuma (Semiconductor Frontier Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 3 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,) Y Yoshihiro Nemoto (Research Network and Facility Services Division, National Institute for Materials Science 4 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047,) Y Yuki Nishimiya (Research Network and Facility Services Division, National Institute for Materials Science 4 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047,) K Keishi Nishio (Department of Materials Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science 2 , Katsushika, Tokyo 125-8585,) M Makoto Minohara (Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 1 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,)

Abstract

Thin-film transistors based on oxide semiconductors, such as amorphous InGaZnO4 (a-IGZO), are widely used in edge devices owing to their low power consumption. However, the fundamental limitation of the subthreshold swing (SS) hinders both high-speed response and further reduction in power consumption. In this study, we focus on the concept of the tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET), which can significantly reduce SS, and explore its application to a-IGZO-based transistors. To design the a-IGZO based TFETs, we experimentally determined the band diagrams of a-IGZO/SnO and a-IGZO/Nb-doped Bi2WO6 (Nb:BWO), considering depletion layers, using photoemission spectroscopy. Both heterojunctions exhibited type II band alignment, with the energy barriers between the conduction band minimum of a-IGZO and valence band maximum of SnO or Nb:BWO being 0.57 ± 0.05 and 1.72 ± 0.05 eV, respectively. Simulations based on these band diagrams demonstrated the on–off switching behavior of the a-IGZO/SnO TFET only, achieving a minimum SS value of 48 mV/dec with a 3 mm-thick a-IGZO, assuming an ideal interface. These results suggest that optimizing junction properties and material selection plays a crucial role in the realization of a-IGZO-based TFETs for enhanced energy efficiency in electronic devices.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 138, Issue 10
Published September 14, 2025
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

R

Ryusuke Seino

Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 1 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,

H

Hidehiro Asai

Semiconductor Frontier Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 3 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,

I

Ichiro Takakuwa

Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 1 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,

S

Shutaro Asanuma

Semiconductor Frontier Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 3 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,

Y

Yoshihiro Nemoto

Research Network and Facility Services Division, National Institute for Materials Science 4 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047,

Y

Yuki Nishimiya

Research Network and Facility Services Division, National Institute for Materials Science 4 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047,

K

Keishi Nishio

Department of Materials Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science 2 , Katsushika, Tokyo 125-8585,

M

Makoto Minohara

Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 1 , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568,