Low-Frequency Noise Measurements in Silicon Power MOSFETs as a Tool to Experimentally Investigate the Defectiveness of the Gate Oxide

Paolo Magnone, Pier Andrea Traverso, Giacomo Barletta, Claudio Fiegna
Abstract:
In this work we analyse the applicability of low-frequency (LF) noise measurement in order to study the defectiveness in the gate oxide of power MOSFETs. To this purpose we implement a low-noise experimental set-up, which is able to measure the drain current flicker (“1/f”) noise of the device under test (DUT). First, we show how these measurements can be used to empirically detect the physical model and related compact expressions, which best describe the source of fluctuations in this type of devices. Then, accordingly to the selected physical model, the defect density in the gate oxide is extracted. In order to validate the proposed methodology, experimental data are reported and discussed in the case of trench power MOSFETs. The measured noise spectra confirm the suitability of the laboratory set-up for this type of analysis and, by means of an empirical fitting of the data, the defect density is estimated, in accordance with the typical values expected for the technology considered.
Keywords:
low-frequency noise measurement, semiconductor device characterization, flicker noise, 1/f noise, power MOSFET
Download:
IMEKO-TC4-2013-060.pdf
DOI:
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Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC4
Event name:
TC4 Symposium 2013
Title:
19th IMEKO TC4 Symposium Measurements of Electrical Quantities (together with 17th TC4 IWADC Workshop on ADC and DAC Modelling and Testing)
Place:
Barcelona, SPAIN
Time:
18 July 2013 - 19 July 2013