Physical models for numerical simulation of Si-based nanoscale FETs and sensors

To continuously improve the performance of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs), innovative device architectures, gate stack engineering and mobility enhancement techniques are under investigation. In this framework, new physics-based models for Technology Computer-Aided-Design (TCAD) simulation tools are needed to accurately predict the performance of upcoming nanoscale devices and to provide guidelines for their optimization. In this thesis, advanced physically-based mobility models for ultrathin body (UTB) devices with either planar or vertical architectures such as single-gate silicon-on-insulator (SOI) field-effect transistors (FETs), double-gate FETs, FinFETs and silicon nanowire FETs, integrating strain technology and high-κ gate stacks are presented. The effective mobility of the two-dimensional electron/hole gas in a UTB FETs channel is calculated taking into account its tensorial nature and the quantization effects. All the scattering events relevant for thin silicon films and for high-κ dielectrics and metal gates have been addressed and modeled for UTB FETs on differently oriented substrates. The effects of mechanical stress on (100) and (110) silicon band structures have been modeled for a generic stress configuration. Performance will also derive from heterogeneity, coming from the increasing diversity of functions integrated on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) platforms. For example, new architectural concepts are of interest not only to extend the FET scaling process, but also to develop innovative sensor applications. Benefiting from properties like large surface-to-volume ratio and extreme sensitivity to surface modifications, silicon-nanowire-based sensors are gaining special attention in research. In this thesis, a comprehensive analysis of the physical effects playing a role in the detection of gas molecules is carried out by TCAD simulations combined with interface characterization techniques. The complex interaction of charge transport in silicon nanowires of different dimensions with interface trap states and remote charges is addressed to correctly reproduce experimental results of recently fabricated gas nanosensors.

From Radio Channel Modeling to a System Level Perspective in Body-Centric Communications

Body-centric communications are emerging as a new paradigm in the panorama of personal communications. Being concerned with human behaviour, they are suitable for a wide variety of applications. The advances in the miniaturization of portable devices to be placed on or around the body, foster the diffusion of these systems, where the human body is the key element defining communication characteristics. This thesis investigates the human impact on body-centric communications under its distinctive aspects. First of all, the unique propagation environment defined by the body is described through a scenario-based channel modeling approach, according to the communication scenario considered, i.e., on- or on- to off-body. The novelty introduced pertains to the description of radio channel features accounting for multiple sources of variability at the same time. Secondly, the importance of a proper channel characterisation is shown integrating the on-body channel model in a system level simulator, allowing a more realistic comparison of different Physical and Medium Access Control layer solutions. Finally, the structure of a comprehensive simulation framework for system performance evaluation is proposed. It aims at merging in one tool, mobility and social features typical of the human being, together with the propagation aspects, in a scenario where multiple users interact sharing space and resources.

Simulation of optical observables for space missions to small bodies

The navigation of deep space spacecraft requires accurate measurement of the probe’s state and attitude with respect to a body whose ephemerides may not be known with good accuracy. The heliocentric state of the spacecraft is estimated through radiometric techniques (ranging, Doppler, and Delta-DOR), while optical observables can be introduced to improve the uncertainty in the relative position and attitude with respect to the target body. In this study, we analyze how simulated optical observables affect the estimation of parameters in an orbit determination problem, considering the case of the ESA’s Hera mission towards the binary asteroid system composed of Didymos and Dimorphos. To this extent, a shape model and a photometric function are used to create synthetic onboard camera images. Then, using a stereophotoclinometry technique on some of the simulated images, we create a database of maplets that describe the 3D geometry of the surface around a set of landmarks. The matching of maplets with the simulated images provides the optical observables, expressed as pixel coordinates in the camera frame, which are fed to an orbit determination filter to estimate a certain number of solve-for parameters. The noise introduced in the output optical observables by the image processing can be quantified using as a metric the quality of the residuals, which is used to fine-tune the maplet-matching parameters. In particular, the best results are obtained when using small maplets, with high correlation coefficients and occupation factors.