Low loss 40 Gbit/s silicon modulator based on interleaved junctions and fabricated on 300 mm SOI wafers

There is variation in the electrical conductivity of materials - metals, semiconductors, and insulators that are showcased with the help of the energy band diagrams.
Metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or lead (Pb) have low resistivity and feature conduction bands that are either not fully occupied or overlap with the valence band, making a bandgap non-existent. This allows electrons in the highest energy levels of the valence band to easily transition to the conduction band upon gaining...

Enhancement-mode MOSFETs are pivotal components in electronics, distinguished by their capacity to act as highly efficient switches. They are part of the larger family of metal-oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs). They are available in two types: p-channel and n-channel, each tailored to specific polarity operations.
In their basic form, enhancement-mode MOSFETs are typically non-conductive when the gate-source voltage (Vgs) is zero. This default 'off' state means no...

Biasing metal-semiconductor junctions involves applying a voltage across the junction. Specifically, the metal is connected to a voltage source, while the semiconductor is grounded. This technique is essential for controlling the direction and magnitude of current flow in electronic devices, including diodes, transistors, and photovoltaic cells.
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...

The contact of metal and semiconductor can lead to the formation of a junction with either Schottky or Ohmic behavior.
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The...

The Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) plays a pivotal role in modern electronics thanks to its versatility and efficiency in controlling electrical currents. This device, also known as IGFET, MISFET, and MOSFET, has three main terminals: the Source, Drain, and Gate. MOSFETs are classified into n-channel or p-channel types based on the doping characteristics of their substrate and the source or drain regions.
In an n-MOSFET, the structure includes n-type source and drain...

The MOSFET, when operating in its active region, functions as a voltage-controlled current source. In this region, the gate-to-source voltage controls the drain current. This principle underlies the operation of the transconductance MOSFET amplifier. The output current is directed through a load resistor to convert this amplifier into a voltage amplifier. The output voltage is then obtained by subtracting the voltage drop across the load resistance from the supply voltage. This process results...