A device-level characterization approach to quantify the impacts of different random variation sources in FinFET technology

A simple device-level characterization approach to quantitatively evaluate the impacts of different random variation sources in FinFETs is proposed. The impacts of random dopant fluctuation are negligible for FinFETs with lightly doped channel, leaving metal gate granularity and line-edge roughness as the two major random variation sources. The variations of Vth induced by these two major categories are theoretically decomposed based on the distinction in physical mechanisms and their influences on different electrical characteristics. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through both TCAD simulations and experimental results. This letter can provide helpful guidelines for variation-aware technology development

Heterogeneous silver-polyaniline nanocomposites with tunable morphology and controllable catalytic properties

National Natural Science Foundation of China [51173153, U1205113]; Special Program for Key Research of Chinese National Basic Research Program [2011CB612303]; Xiamen Science and Technology Committee [3502Z20121021, 3502Z20120015]This paper introduces not only a simple hydrothermal route to silver-polyaniline (Ag-PANI) nanocomposites with controllable morphology, but also a type of catalyst possessing tunable and switchable catalytic capability. Ag-PANI Janus nanoparticles (NPs) and Ag@PANI core-shell NPs have been constructed successfully at different hydrothermal temperatures. The diameter of both Ag and PANI hemispheres of Janus NPs, as well as the PANI shell thickness of core-shell NPs, was finely tuned via adjustment of the feed ratio. We also gained a deeper insight into the functionalities of PANI components in the catalytic capability of the heterogeneous catalysts, choosing catalytic reductions of nitrobenzene (NB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) as model reactions. Our results showed that the catalytic capability of the nanocomposites was dependent on the PANI morphology and hydrophobicity. The PANI shell coating on Ag NPs can concentrate the lipophilic NB, thus leading to an enhanced catalytic capability of Ag@PANI core-shell NPs. However, this enhanced catalytic capability was not observed for Ag-PANI Janus NPs when catalytically reducing NB. More importantly, the catalytic capability of the core-shell NPs in the reduction of hydrophilic 4-NP is switchable by varying the PANI shell from an undoped to a doped state

The Influence of Pulp and Paper Industry on Environment

Currently, paper consumption is globally increasing and at an unsustainable level. However, traditional paper production could release excessive greenhouse gas emissions or wastewater, resulting in environmental contamination. To make the result more visual and persuasive, this study takes Time magazine as an example to analyze the impacts of the papermaking process on the environment. This study analyzes energy consumption from several sectors in the paper industry, carbon dioxide emissions, and discharge of condensed wastewater to show current consumption during traditional pulp and paper production. Results show that the papermaking process would consume a lot of electricity during the pulp preparing, pulp condition, pulp preparation, manufacture paper with pulp, and pulp processing stages. Meanwhile, various degree of carbon emissions is generated based on the physical and chemical changes in materials during the papermaking process. Two kinds of wastewater, including black and white liquor, are produced in the papermaking process. Several countermeasures are suggested to achieve a low consumption and sustainable development of the pulp and paper industry to solve these environmental problems. The suggestion includes the surrogate of electronic paper, carbon capture and storage, and wastewater recycling

Analysis of the Appearance Quality of Tobacco Leaves in the Tobacco-growing Areas of Qujing City

In order to set up the digitization indices system of appearance quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves in Qujing. According to the relevant standards, the quantitative analysis on appearance quality of 39 central and upper tobacco samples which were collected from eight flue-cured tobacco production regions of Qujing City, Yunnan Province were carried out in 2011, respectively. The results showed that the difference in evaluation score of appearance quality of flue-cured tobacco in eight regions was not significant．The tobacco leaves had high maturity, high oil content, loose structure and good appearance quality. The scores of appearance quality of flue-cured tobacco in Shizong County and Malong County are higher than other regions. The two regions are suitable for tobacco plantation. The preliminary digitization indices provide reference and guidance to tobacco production and standards system of tobacco leaves base

Predictive Compact Modeling of Random Variations in FinFET Technology for 16/14nm Node and Beyond

Predictive compact models for two key variability sources in FinFET technology, the gate edge roughness (GER) and Fin edge roughness (FER), are proposed for the first time, and integrated into industry standard BSIM-CMG core model. Excellent accuracy and predictivity is verified through atomistic TCAD simulations. The inherent correlations between the variations of device electrical parameters are well captured. In addition, an abnormal non-monotonous dependence of variations on Fin-width is observed, which can be explained with the newly found correlation between random variations and electrostatic integrity in FinFETs. The impacts of GER and FER on circuits are efficiently predicted for 16/14nm node and beyond, providing helpful guildlines for variation-aware design and technology process development

Light field modulation of ejected

The re-deposition of the ejected $$\hbox {SiO}_{2}$$ particles on the substrate during laser-induced damage of fused silica affects the light field modulation and the beam propagation quality. In this paper, the ejected $$\hbox {SiO}_{2}$$ particles were firstly classified based on the experimental results. Then, the modulation resulting from three types of particles, square, round, and triangular was simulated. Meanwhile, the influences of the particle shape, size, position, and laser wavelength on the field modulation were studied. It showed that the field enhancement factor (FEF) has crucial correlations with the particle size, position, and laser wavelength. When the irradiated laser wavelength was 1064 nm, the square particles located on the front surface, the round particles located on the rear surface of the fused silica generated the largest FEF, respectively. The FEF resulted from the round particles was the largest regardless of whether the particles locate on the front or rear surface when the irradiated laser wavelength was 355 nm. The results also showed that no matter what type of particles, they will be easy to induce the surface or bulk damage of fused silica when they are located on the front surface. In contrast, the maximum field modulation appears in the air when the particles are located on the rear surface. It showed that the field modulation was not the main reason to induce rear surface damage of the fused silica

Variation-Aware Energy-Delay Optimization Method for Device/Circuit Co-Design

A new variation-aware energy-delay optimization method is proposed for device-circuit co-design in nanoscale CMOS digital circuits design. Yield is added into traditional energy-delay (ED) optimization method as a figure of merit to take account of ED variation caused by major process variation sources in nanoscale technology. Threshold voltage and supply voltage can be co-optimized to meet any customized energy-delay-yield (EDY) requirements. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed EDY method is confirmed by circuit simulations targeting at different digital circuit applications. Results from optimization and simulation show great advantage in avoiding over-design compared with the conventional ED method. Furthermore, the extendibility of the proposed method to include reliability-induced degradation and variation is exhibited