[SOLVED] Moscap curve: Cap vs. Vgs

Hi guys,

i simulated the current through moscap to get cap's value. Here is the curve:


Can someone pls explain?

1. Why the curve is not symmetrical with axis y(Vgs left=-1.14V, Vgs right=0.63V, why Vgs left \neq Vgs right) ?

2. I know the maximum value is W\cdot L\cdot Cox, but what's the minimum value of the cap? Can i calculate it?

Regards

Ming

---------- Post added at 07:28 ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 ----------

2. I know the maximum value is W\cdot L\cdot Cox, but what's the minimum value of the cap? Can i calculate it?

sorry for the mistake, it's WLCox.

1. It is caused by different mode for MOS capacitor. Accumulating mode or inverse mode.

Accumulating mode or inverse mode.

Click to expand...

Hi leo,

What's accumulating mode and inverse mode? Can you explain it in detail ?

but what's the minimum value of the cap? Can i calculate it?

Click to expand...

Is it overlap capacitance for the minimum value? (say WLCov)

Regards,

Ming

fuxinmingming said:

What's accumulating mode and inverse mode?

Click to expand...

See the foll. PDF: View attachment MOSCAP.pdf

See the foll. PDF: MOSCAP.pdf

Click to expand...

Hi erikl,

I see the pdf. Now, I understand the accumulating and inverse mode. However, one of pdf 's graph confused me.

My question is:
Why the poly/n-well capacitor satisfactorily operates only if the gate voltage is positive enough ?

I think the curve should be like this:


Regards,

Ming

fuxinmingming said:

Click to expand...

Hi Ming,
In the above curve, the vertical VTH marking should be more to the right, and you are right saying the (LF) inversion rise should be less steep than the accumulation rise.

fuxinmingming said:

My question is:
Why the poly/n-well capacitor satisfactorily operates only if the gate voltage is positive enough ?

Click to expand...

You need full accumulation/inversion (corresponding to strong inversion of a MOSFET), i.e. Vth + Voverdrive in order to profit from the largest cap/area ratio.

For LF applications, however, the MOSCAP also works with (enough) negative gate voltage. See the nmos- and pmos-gate-cap behavior (simulated and measured curves) below.

BTW: don't feel irritated by the seemingly inconsistently used terms accumulation & inversion, this just depends on the relative charge signs of the gate and the substrate below.

Hi erikl,

Thanks for your explanation. It helps me a lot.

Regards

Ming