Impact of high-k offset spacer in 65-nm node SOI devices

Abstract

In this letter, 65-nm node silicon-on-insulator devices with high-k, offset spacer dielectric were investigated by extensive 2-D device simulation. The result shows that the high-k, offset spacer dielectric can effectively increase the ON-state driving current I-ON and reduce the OFF leakage current I-OFF due to the high vertical fringing electric field effect. This fringing field can significantly improve the I-ON/I-OFF current ratio and the subthreshold swing compared with the conventional oxide spacer. Consequently, the gate-to-channel control ability is enhanced by the fringing field via the high-k offset spacer dielectric.