Numerical simulations of space charge waves amplification using negative differential conductance in strained Si/SiGe at 4.2 K

Abstract

This paper introduces a two-dimensional (2D) numerical simulation of the amplification of space charge waves using negative differential conductance in a typical MOS silicon–germanium (SiGe)-based field-effect transistors (FET) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology at 4.2 K. The hydrodynamic model of electron transport was applied to describe the amplification of space charge waves in this nonlinear medium (i.e., the negative differential conductance). This phenomenon shows up in GaAs thin films at room temperature. However, this can be also observed in a strained Si/SiGe heterostructure at very low temperatures (T < 77 K) and at high electric fields (E > 10 KV/cm). The results show the amplification and non-linear interaction of space charge waves in a strained Si/SiGe heterostructure occurs for frequencies up to approximately 60 GHz at T = 1.3 K, 47 GHz at T = 4.2 K, and 40 GHz at T = 77 K. The variation of concentration and electric field in the Z and Y directions are calculated at 4.2 K. The electric field in the Z direction is greater than in the Y direction. This is due to the fact that this is the direction of electron motion. In addition to deep space applications, these types of devices have potential uses in terrestrial applications which include magnetic levitation transportation systems, medical diagnostics, cryogenic instrumentation, and superconducting magnetic energy storage systems.