Abstract. In this work we investigate the impact of the fin number and structure on device dc and dynamic behaviors of multi-fin field effect transistor (FET) circuits. Based on the same channel volume, multi-fin FETs with different fin aspect ratio (AR ≡ fin height/fin width) are explored using an experimentally validated three-dimensional device simulation. The multi-fin FinFET (AR = 2) has a better channel controllability than the tri-gate (AR = 1) and the quasi-planar (AR = 0.5) FETs. Besides, the 6T SRAM with triple-fin FinFETs provides the largest static noise margin because of the largest transconductance. Notably, though the FinFETs are with a large effective fin width and driving current, the larger gate capacitance may limit the intrinsic device gate delay. The transient characteristics of multi-fin inverters are further examined with different load capacitance (C_load). As C_load is increased, the impact of the device intrinsic gate capacitance on transient characteristcs is decreased and the delay time compared with that of single-fin inverters is smaller due to being dominated by the driving current of the transistor. Consequently, the multi-fin FinFET circuits exhibit a smallest delay time. The results of the study provide an insight into the dc and transient characteristics of multi-fin transistors and associated digital circuits.

Print publication: Issue 11 (November 2009)
Received 30 August 2009, in final form 7 October 2009
Published 27 October 2009