Fabrication of Polycrystalline Ferroelectric Gate FET Memory with an Intermediate Electrode
We fabricated a new ferroelectric gate field-effect transistor memory (F-FET) with an intermediate electrode inserted between the ferroelectric capacitor (Cf) and the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) for writing data. The structure was a RuO2 top electrode/polycrystalline ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT)/(Pt/RuO2) intermediate electrode/SiO2/Si substrate. The basic operation of the new memory was confirmed by a discrete circuit that the Cf was connected serially with the MOSFET. For data writing, two positive or negative square pulses applied between the top electrode and the intermediate electrode induced the positive (Pr+) and the negative (Pr-) remanent polarizations, respectively, for coding memory states. For data reading, an unipolar square pulse train was applied between the top electrode and the source of the MOSFET, and the drain of the MOSFET was biased by a DC voltage. When the memory state corresponded to the Pr+ or the P-, the drain current (ID) was small or large, respectively. In this study, we used a polycrystalline PZT film to deal with the difficult problems of an epitaxial PZT film such as complicated techniques and high cost of products for commercialization goal.
Analysis and Improvement of Retention Time of Memorized State of Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator-Semiconductor Structure for Ferroelectric Gate FET Memory
Retention characteristics of metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) structures have been studied theoretically by considering effects of charge injections derived from the difference between leakage current densities in the ferroelectric and insulator layers. The calculated curves for time-dependent capacitance have shown good agreements with experimental results. The numerical results for the MFIS structure have indicated that excess current over a certain value through the ferroelectric and the insulator layers causes the retention time to rapidly degrade. An idea of inserting an insulator film between the metal and the ferroelectric layers in an MFIS has also been examined in order to cut down the currents through the ferroelectric layer. The calculations based on our model have found this metal-insulator-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (M-I-FIS) structure to exhibit much longer retention time than the conventional MFIS.
Experimental investigation of the geotechnical properties and microstructure of lime-stabilized saline soils under freeze-thaw cycling
Abstract The Song-Nen Plain in northeastern China holds one of the three largest expanses of soda saline-alkali soil in the world. Due to its disadvantageous geotechnical properties, the saline soil in this area is unable to meet the needs of construction projects. This study evaluates the stabilizing effect of adding lime to such soils. Specifically, it investigates how the physicochemical and mechanical properties and microstructure of soda saline-alkali soil are altered by lime and how these changes are affected by both freeze-thaw cycling and the duration of curing. The results reveal that adding lime to saline soil transforms clay particles into sand and silt particles and causes the pore size distribution (PSD) to become bimodal, with small-pore and macropore populations. An increase in lime content leads to an increase in the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) but a gradual decrease in both the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and plastic index. Freeze-thaw cycles break up coarse particles and aggregate finer particles, increasing the diameter of macropores and decreasing the USC; however, the effect on specimens with >9% lime is negligible. It is further shown that the geotechnical properties of the soil change immediately after the addition of lime, indicating that the cation exchange reaction takes place very quickly. Furthermore, the pozzolanic reaction leads to an increase in the percentage of sand-sized particles and a decrease in porosity after 28 days of curing. Overall, these results indicate that it is feasible to use lime to improve the engineering properties of soda saline-alkali soil in this area.