Thermal Noise Characterization, Modeling and Instrumentation for Emerging Applications

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This proposal is to tackle the thermal noise in nano-scale transistors for emerging applications (such as quantum computing) which require high signal sensitivity because of the weak signal strength in these applications. Thermal noise in electronic devices sets the fundamental limitation for receiver front ends, analog, mixed-signal, and even digital circuits for their signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), dynamic range, data acquisition rate, and power consumption. In the applicant's recent work, it was shown that modern transistors biased at reduced power supply levels to relieve overheating suffer from a dramatic degradation of transistor's SNR to a level that was never foreseen nor forecasted by conventional noise theories. The benefit resulting from the miniaturization of transistors will be limited not only by manufacturing costs in practice, but also more fundamentally by thermal noise and quantum effects. In the next five years, we will address this issue of signal sensitivity in nanometric devices by developing new models for thermal noise that are able to predict the recently observed behaviour, and by developing instruments to calibrate these models. This research is critical for nm-scale silicon and compound semiconductor devices of different device architectures (FinFET, TFET, JLFET, and HEMT) and will provide material, process, and design engineers the tools needed to better understand the factors that limit device sensitivity for their mitigation. Our work will also allow for the accurate prediction of noise in emerging low-noise, low-power devices and applications such as space and satellite communication or mm-wave bio-electronic imaging systems. To realize this ambitious goal, the proposed research program, building on our expertise, is divided into three parts: (1) physics-based and engineering modeling of nanometric devices; (2) fast and accurate analytical and numerical techniques for device noise and small-signal parameter extraction; and (3) improved radiometers that overcome current limitations of poor linearity and limited accuracy for better noise and small-signal measurements for future high-performance microwave and millimeter-wave electronic systems. The proposed research program addresses Canada's socio-economic need in health diagnosis requiring low electromagnetic radiation deposition, and its environmental need in air and climate requiring high-precision radiometers to monitor the greenhouse gas emissions. The subsequent technology transfer in low-noise circuit design to instrumental companies benefits the electronic and manufacturing industries in Canada. The research work in this proposal are expected to yield a unique framework that will impart requisite skills to highly qualified personnel by involving instrumentation, characterization, and modeling fields, enhancing multi-disciplinary collaboration, and advancing innovated low-noise and low-power co-design for emerging wireless applications at mm-wave frequencies.