Predicting nonlinear electrical performance in single and multiple quantum-barrier varactors (QBV´s) by the Monte Carlo technique

Author

Abou-Khalil, Michel J. ; Rahal, Ali ; Goano, Michele ; Maciejko, Romain ; Wu, Ke ; Bosisio, Renato G.

Author_Institution

Groupe de Recherche Avancees en Microondes et en Electron. Spatiale, Dept. de Genie Electr. et de Genie Int., Montreal, Que., Canada

Volume

45

Issue

7

fYear

1998

fDate

7/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1399

Lastpage

1406

Abstract

In this paper, nonlinear characterization and simulation of single and multiple quantum barrier varactors (QBV´s) are obtained by using a multiparticle Monte Carlo simulator. The I-V relation is deduced directly from the equivalent charge variation and the bias voltage. The C-V characteristics are simply calculated from the width of the depletion region in a similar manner as for a parallel plate capacitor. The RF behavior is also simulated by modulating the voltage at 50 GHz and by performing an FFT of the current to study higher harmonic content of the QBV´s. It is observed that only odd harmonics are generated and the current level of the third harmonic is about 10% of the injected signal current level. It is also shown that the use of multistack barriers can reduce the current density and the capacitance in accordance with the number of barriers in addition to increasing the breakdown voltage

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; fast Fourier transforms; millimetre wave diodes; semiconductor device models; varactors; 50 GHz; C-V characteristics; FFT; I-V characteristics; RF characteristics; breakdown voltage; capacitance; current density; current harmonics; multiparticle Monte Carlo simulation; multiple quantum barrier varactor; multistack barrier; nonlinear electrical performance; single quantum barrier varactor; Capacitors; Current density; Monte Carlo methods; Nonlinear equations; Poisson equations; Quantum capacitance; Radio frequency; Schottky diodes; Varactors; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Electron Devices, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9383

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/16.701468

Filename

701468