Patent · US Active

Method for reducing leakage current and increasing drive current in a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor

US8048732B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
69References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 8, 2010
Grant dateNov 1, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 8, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D86/201
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method of manufacture for metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors is disclosed. Devices in accordance with the invention are operable at voltages below 2V. The devices are area efficient, have improved drive strength, and have reduced leakage current. A dynamic threshold voltage control scheme comprised of a forward biased diode in parallel with a capacitor is used, implemented without changing the existing MOS technology process. This scheme controls the threshold voltage of each transistor. In the OFF state, the magnitude of the threshold voltage of the transistor increases, keeping the transistor leakage to a minimum. In the ON state, the magnitude of the threshold voltage decreases, resulting in increased drive strength. The invention is particularly useful in MOS technology for both bulk and silicon on insulator (SOI) CMOS. The use of reverse biasing of the well, in conjunction with the above construct to further decrease leakage in a MOS transistor, is also shown.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.