Current-Mode Logic in Organic Semiconductor Based on Source-Gated Transistors

Due to the low mobility and the abundance of trap states in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), the operation of conventional logic circuits-based OFETs needs a large voltage swing, and suffers large switching noise and low speed. In this letter, current-mode logic (CML) circuits composed of organic source-gated transistors (OSGTs) are proposed for high-speed signaling based on existing material and process technologies. Mixed-mode simulations show that CML circuits using simple resistive loads can still be operated much faster than an ideal conventional inverter with perfect active loads and OFETs free of traps. With the same supply voltage and device parameters, CML circuits can work with a wide range of signal swings. The superior analog performance of OSGTs is also shown to fit well with the design requirements for CML circuits in terms of low power supply, high output impedance, and stability.