Chemical Approaches for Improved Nanoscale Organic and Polymer Thin-film Transistors (TFTs)

Book excerpt: Thin-film transistors (TFTs) function as electrical switches within integrated circuits. Precise control over the on and off states of this switch are crucial for device implementation into the various circuit applications. Currently, organic and polymer thin film semiconductors face challenges that differ from the semiconductors used in modern-day TFTs. However, they have their advantages such as being solution processable, relatively inexpensive, and deposition can be performed on a larger variety of substrates for flexible applications. Therefore, this dissertation consists of many approaches we have explored to overcome the performance challenges (low on-currents and mobilities) of organic and polymer semiconductor-based TFTs. Our approaches were implemented in large- and short-channel TFTs to study the effects of scaling down closer to current dimensions used in state-of-the-art technologies. The modifications to the dielectric layer, the electrical contacts, and the thin-film semiconductor layer were all investigated to highlight the impact each layer contributes to overall electrical TFT performance