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Dixiong Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Dixiong Wang.

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Reconfigurable Compute-In-Memory on Field-Programmable Ferroelectric Diodes

The deluge of sensors and data generating devices has driven a paradigm shift in modern computing from arithmetic-logic centric to data-centric processing. Data-centric processing require innovations at device level to enable novel compute-in-memory (CIM) operations. A key challenge in construction of CIM architectures is the conflicting trade-off between the performance and their flexibility for various essential data operations. Here, we present a transistor-free CIM architecture that permits storage, search and neural network operations on sub-50nm thick Aluminum Scandium Nitride ferroelectric diodes (FeDs). Our circuit designs and devices can be directly integrated on top of Silicon microprocessors in a scalable process. By leveraging the field-programmability, non-volatility and non-linearity of FeDs, search operations are demonstrated with a cell footprint < 0.12 um2 when projected onto 45-nm node technology. We further demonstrate neural network operations with 4-bit operation using FeDs. Our results highlight FeDs as candidates for efficient and multifunctional CIM platforms.

physics.app-ph

Post-CMOS Compatible Aluminum Scandium Nitride/2D Channel Ferroelectric Field-Effect-Transistor

In 1963, Moll and Tarui suggested that the field-effect conductance of a semiconductor could be controlled by the remanent polarization of a ferroelectric (FE) material to create a ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FE-FET). However, subsequent efforts to produce a practical, compact FE-FET have been plagued by low retention and incompatibility with Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) process integration. These difficulties led to the development of trapped-charge based memory devices (also called floating gate or flash memory), and these are now the mainstream non-volatile memory (NVM) technology. Over the past two decades, advances in oxide FE materials have rejuvenated the field of ferroelectrics and made FE random access memories (FE-RAM) a commercial reality. Despite these advances, commercial FE-RAM based on lead zirconium titanate (PZT) has stalled at the 130 nm due to process challenges.The recent discovery of scandium doped aluminum nitride (AlScN) as a CMOS compatible ferroelectric presents new opportunities for direct memory integration with logic transistors due to the low temperature of AlScN deposition (approx. 350 C). This temperature is compatible with CMOS back end of line processes. Here, we present a FE-FET device composed of an AlScN FE dielectric layer integrated with a channel layer of a van der Waals two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor, MoS2. Our devices show an ON/OFF ratio ~ 10^6, concurrent with a normalized memory window of 0.3 V/nm. The devices also demonstrate stable, two-state memory retention for up to 10^4 seconds. Our simulations and experimental results suggest that the combination of AlScN and 2D semiconductors is nearly ideal for low power FE-FET memory. These results demonstrate a new approach in embedded memory and in-memory computing, and could even lead to effective neuromorphic computing architectures.

physics.app-ph