Pseudo Molecular Doping and Ambipolarity Tuning in Si Junctionless Nanowire Transistors Using Gaseous Nitrogen Dioxide

Ambipolar transistors facilitate concurrent transport of both positive (holes) and negative (electrons) charge carriers in the semiconducting channel. Effective manipulation of conduction symmetry and electrical characteristics in ambipolar silicon junctionless nanowire transistors (Si-JNTs) is demonstrated using gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). This involves a dual reaction in both p- and n-type conduction, resulting in a significant decrease in the current in n-conduction mode and an increase in the p-conduction mode upon NO₂ exposure. Various Si-JNT parameters, including “on”-current (I_on), threshold voltage (V_th), and mobility (µ) exhibit dynamic changes in both the p- and n-conduction modes of the ambipolar transistor upon interaction with NO₂ (concentration between 2.5 – 50 ppm). Additionally, NO₂ exposure to Si-JNTs with different surface morphologies, that is, unpassivated Si-JNTs with a native oxide or with a thermally grown oxide (10 nm), show distinct influences on I_on, V_th, and µ, highlighting the effect of surface oxide on NO₂-mediated charge transfer. Interaction with NO₂ alters the carrier concentration in the JNT channel, with NO₂ acting as an electron acceptor and inducing holes, as supported by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, providing a pathway for charge transfer and “pseudo” molecular doping in ambipolar Si-JNTs.