Effects of Forming Gas Anneal on Ultrathin InGaAs Nanowire Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

Abstract

InGaAs gate-all-around metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with 6 nm nanowire thickness have been experimentally demonstrated at sub-80 nm channel length. The effects of forming gas anneal (FGA) on the performance of these devices have been systematically studied. The 30 min (400^{\circ}C) FGA ((4%H_2/96%N_2)) is found to improve the quality of the (Al_2O_3/InGaAs) interface, resulting in a subthreshold slope reduction over 20 mV/dec (from 117 mV/dec in average to 93 mV/dec). Moreover, the improvement of interface quality also has positive impact on the on-state device performance. A scaling metrics study has been carried out for FGA treated devices with channel lengths down to 20 nm, indicating excellent gate electrostatic control. With the FGA passivation and the ultra-thin nanowire structure, InGaAs MOSFETs are promising for future logic applications.