A method for measuring barrier heights, metal work functions and fixed charge densities in metal/SiO₂/Si capacitors

A method for measuring metal barrier heights, work function and fixed charge densities in metal/SiO2/Si capacitors is developed and verified. This technique is based on theoretical studies of tunneling phenomenon through a potential barrier and requires measurement of current versus voltage sweeps at two different temperatures. Unlike the commonly used capacitance method, this method does not require a set of capacitors with different gate oxide thickness for determining work functions and fixed charge densities in metal/SiO2/Si capacitors. Hence, this method provides a fast means for investigating metal work function and fixed charge densities in metal-gated SiO2 capacitors. © 2002 American Institute of Physics.