FinFET analogue characterization from DC to 110 GHz

In this work the analogue performance of 50 nm gate length FinFETs is investigated under static and dynamic conditions up to 110 GHz. The fin width is shown to have a large impact on some analogue figures of merit such as the Early voltage because it determines the existence of volume inversion, full or partial depletion inside the fins. The RF measurements show that a non-uniform silicidation of the three-dimensional polysilicon gate can have a strong impact on the device maximum frequency of oscillation (f(max)). However, it is also shown on the basis of experimental and modelled data that process optimization on the gate side as well as source/drain engineering should lead to f(max) values higher than 250 GHz, making FinFETs very promising devices for future use in RF applications. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved