Device Physicist

Project

Work done for a product or program.

• Derive and validate physics-based models for carrier transport, quantum confinement and short-channel effects in FinFET, nanosheet and CFET devices.
• Analyse Id-Vg, split-CV, charge-pumping and low-frequency noise data to separate mobility, interface-trap density and parasitic series-resistance contributions.
• Correlate BTI, hot-carrier injection and TDDB degradation signatures to specific defect mechanisms in the high-k/metal-gate stack.
• Design split-lot device experiments with process integration to isolate the effect of channel strain, work-function metal and spacer scheme on Vt, Ieff and DIBL.
• Extract band offsets, effective masses and tunnelling parameters for new channel materials using Schrodinger-Poisson and NEGF solvers.
• Diagnose anomalous behaviour on pathfinding wafers such as GIDL humps, floating-body kinks, hysteresis and negative-capacitance artefacts.
• Supply TCAD calibration engineers with physics parameter sets, calibration targets and acceptance criteria for each device generation.
• Defend device-option down-selection recommendations at technology definition and node-entry review boards.
• Mentor process integration and SPICE modelling engineers on the device-physics consequences of module changes.

Function

Work that keeps the discipline running: methods, tools, suppliers and people.

• Benchmark Ieff-versus-Ioff, Ceff and self-heating of competing device options against the internal PPAC roadmap targets.

Project

1. Produce and hand over the role's key deliverables
   • Device option down-selection report with PPAC evidence
   • Calibrated physics parameter sets handed to TCAD and SPICE modelling
   • Split-lot DOE plans and electrical readout analyses
   • Reliability mechanism root-cause memos (BTI/HCI/TDDB)
   • Device physics sections of the technology definition document
2. Run research projectsGeneral
   • Define hypotheses and experiments
   • Build test structures or models
   • Analyse and report the results
3. Transfer resultsGeneral
   • Hand findings over to development
   • Support early adoption

Function

1. Stay currentGeneral
   • Review the literature
   • Work with universities and consortia
2. Protect and shareGeneral
   • File invention disclosures
   • Publish where allowed