Low-Voltage, High-Performance, Indium-Tin-Zinc-Oxide Thin-Film Transistors Based on Dual-Channel and Anodic-Oxide

Oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors (TFTs) with low-voltage operation, excellent device performance, and bias stability are highly desirable for portable and wearable electronics. Here, the development of low-voltage indium-tin-zinc-oxide (ITZO) TFTs with excellent device performance and bias stability based on a dual-channel layer and an anodic-oxide dielectric layer are reported. An ultra-thin anodic AlxOy film as a gate dielectric layer is prepared using an anodization process. The dual-channel layer consists of an oxygen-uncompensated channel layer and an oxygen-compensated capping layer. It is confirmed that the dual-channel structure is effective for enhancing device performance and bias stability in comparison with the single-channel structure. As a result, the dual-channel ITZO TFT gated with anodic AlxOy exhibits an effective saturation mobility of 12.56 cm(2) Vs(-1), a threshold voltage of 0.28 V, a subthreshold swing of 76 mV dec(-1), a low-voltage operation of 1 V, and good operational stability (threshold voltage shift (Delta V-TH) V-TH < 0.15 under positive gate bias stress of 3600 s). The work shows that the ITZO TFTs, based on a dual-channel layer and an anodic-oxide gate dielectric layer, have great potential for low-power, portable, and wearable electronics.

Automated summary

Low-voltage indium-tin-zinc-oxide (ITZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with excellent device performance and bias stability are developed using a dual-channel layer and an anodic-oxide gate dielectric layer. The dual-channel structure enhances device performance and bias stability compared to the single-channel structure. The ITZO TFTs gated with anodic AlxOy exhibit low-voltage operation, high mobility, and good operational stability, making them suitable for low-power, portable, and wearable electronics.