Layout influence on microwave performance of graphene field effect transistors

The authors report on an in-depth statistical and parametrical investigation on the microwave performance of graphene FETs on sapphire substrate. The devices differ for the gate-drain/source distance and for the gate length, having kept instead the gate width constant. Microwave S -parameters have been measured for the different devices. Their results demonstrate that the cut-off frequency does not monotonically increase with the scaling of the device geometry and that it exists an optimal region in the gate-drain/source and gate-length space which maximises the microwave performance.

Radiofrequency performances of different Graphene Field Effect Transistors geometries

In this work, we investigated on microwave parameters geometry dependence in Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs). A DC and RF characterization of the fabricated GFETs has been performed. The parametric analysis was carried out on 24 GFET families fabricated on the same chip and differing only for the channel length (Δ) and the gate length (Lg). In order to obtain a statistical average, each family included ten devices with the same geometry.Our study demonstrates that the output resistance and the cut-off frequency depend on both Δ and Lg. As expected, Rout increases with the graphene channel surface thus confirming the good quality of the fabrication procedures. An optimum region whi…

Technical Program

Novel diamond X-ray detectors with patterned reduced graphene oxide contacts

A novel kind of detector based on polycrystalline grade diamond substrate and Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) contacts is presented. This detector combines some of the good qualities of diamond (i.e. radiation hardness and almost unique combination of electric, thermal and optical properties) with low- Z contacts. This characteristic together with the possibility of patterning the electrodes with standard lithographic techniques, make this detector particularly suitable for X-ray beam monitors where the intensity and the position of the photon beam needs to be measured with minimal effect on the beam itself (i.e. in-line and highly transmissive measurement). The steps needed to realize our nov…

Fabrication and analysis of the layout impact in Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs)

In this work we focused on the analysis of Graphene Field Effect Transistor (GFET) microwave parameters dependence on geometries. In particular, a statistical, experimental investigation of the cut-off frequency (ft) dependency on both the gate-drain/source distance (Δ) and the gate length (Lg) was carried out. 24 GFET families on the same chip were fabricated, each one made of 10 identical (same geometry) devices. The analysis of the measured data shows that ft is both Δ and Lg dependent, and that there exists an optimal region in Δ and Lg design space.

Impact of GFETs geometries on RF performances

Graphene is a relatively new material whose unique properties have attracted significant interest for its use in electronic and photonic applications. In particular, field effect has been proved in graphene samples and the observed high carrier mobility makes graphene an interesting solution for high frequency electronics. In this work, we focused on the analysis of microwave parameters dependence on geometries in Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs). In particular, a statistical, experimental investigation of the cut-off frequency (fT) and of the output impedance (Zout) dependency on both the gate-drain/source distance (Δ) and the gate length (Lg) was carried out. 24 GFET families wer…

Graphene Field-Effect Transistors Employing Different Thin Oxide Films: A Comparative Study

In this work, we report on a comparison among graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) employing different dielectrics as gate layers to evaluate their microwave response. In particular, aluminum oxide (Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$), titanium oxide (TiO$_{2}$), and hafnium oxide (HfO$_{2}$) have been tested. GFETs have been fabricated on a single chip and a statistical analysis has been performed on a set of 24 devices for each type of oxide. Direct current and microwave measurements have been carried out on such GFETs and short circuit current gain and maximum available gain have been chosen as quality factors to evaluate their microwave performance. Our results show that all of the devices belonging …

Investigation on Metal–Oxide Graphene Field-Effect Transistors With Clamped Geometries

In this work, we report on the design, fabrication and characterization of Metal-Oxide Graphene Field-effect Transistors (MOGFETs) exploiting novel clamped gate geometries aimed at enhancing the device transconductance. The fabricated devices employ clamped metal contacts also for source and drain, as well as an optimized graphene meandered pattern for source contacting, in order to reduce parasitic resistance. Our experimental results demonstrate that MOGFETs with the proposed structure show improved high frequency performance, in terms of maximum available gain and transition frequency values, as a consequence of the higher equivalent transconductance obtained.

Photoelectrical response of Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs)

In this work, we present Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs) with photoelectrical response due to the photovoltaiceffect. Our final aim is to use a GFET to down convert an optical to a radiofrequency signal. The technological steps used for the devices fabrication as well as the photoelectrical characterization will be reported. Photoelectrical measurements were performed by using a 405 nm laser diode source, whose output beam was pulse amplitude-modulated at 1.33 kHz by means of a laser driver. The electrical signal out of the GFETs (in a common source amplifier configuration) was measured using a lock-in amplifier synchronized to the same reference frequency of the laser driver. Thi…

Photocurrent generation in Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs)

In this work, we focused on the study of Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs) photoelectrical response due to the combination of photovoltaic and photo-thermoelectric effects. The technological steps for the transistors fabrication together with their electro-optic response will be presented. Measurements were performed by using a 405 nm laser diode with AM modulation at 1.33 KHz shined onto the sample under test. GFETs electrical output signals were measured by using a lock-in amplifier synchronized to the same reference frequency of the laser driver. This gave us the possibility to evaluate the optical characteristics as a function of both the incident laser power and the static pola…

GRAPHENE-BASED TRANSISTORS AND DETECTORS: FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Carbon and carbon-based systems have always attracted great attention thanks to the almost unlimited different structures they can be arranged in and the equally varied physical properties they own. These characteristics are mainly related to the flexibility of carbon bonding, which makes carbon an extremely versatile “building block” material. Most of the typical properties of each carbon-based system are mainly associated with the dimensionality of the structure itself. In this framework, graphene, the first two-dimensional atomic crystal available to the scientific community, has revealed to play a key role in terms of fundamental physics and potential applications, despite its short sto…

Employing Microwave Graphene Field Effect Transistors for Infrared Radiation Detection

In this work, we investigate the possibility of employing graphene field effect transistors, specifically designed for microwave applications, as infrared detectors for telecom applications. Our devices have been fabricated on a sapphire substrate employing CVD-grown transferred graphene. The roles of both the gate dielectric and the DC bias conditions have been evaluated in order to maximize the infrared generated signal through an experimental investigation of the signal-to-noise ratio dependence on the transistor operating point.

Microwave parameters dependence on Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs) dimensions

Graphene is a relatively new material whose unique properties have attracted significant interest for its use in electronic and photonic applications. In particular, field effect has been proved in graphene samples and this feature, together with the high carrier mobility observed, makes graphene an interesting solution for high frequency electronics. In our work, we performed a statistical analysis in order to evaluate the microwave parameters dependence on Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs) dimensions. In more detail, for the first time, we studied the behavior of the cut-off frequency (ft) and of the output impedance (Zout) at varying both the gate-drain/gate-source distance (Δ) a…

Infrared detection in multifunctional graphene-based transistors

In the last years great attention has been paid to graphene-based devices for optoelectronic applications such as photodetection. In this work, we report on Graphene Field Effect Transistors (GFETs) photoelectrical response due to the photo-transistor effect. Photoelectrical measurements were performed using a 1.55 μm erbium fiber laser. Optical measurements as a function of both the incident laser power and the DC bias of the fabricated devices have been carried out and show that photocurrent increases with the power of the IR beam illuminating the sample.