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Title: Contributions to Dielectric Constant Enhancement in Thin Film Metal Insulator Metal Capacitors

Journal Article · · Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology
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  1. Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Kansas City, MO (United States)
  2. Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO (United States)

Thin film metal-insulator-metal capacitors were fabricated with varying dielectric and electrode thicknesses and areas. Measurement of the dielectric properties of the capacitors consistently yielded higher than predicted capacitance values, which prompted the exploration of three factors that could enhance the capacitance. Modeling of the fringing capacitance and field enhancement due to the capacitor geometry, both yield capacitance gains, albeit insufficient to fully explain the observed behavior. The possible role of changes in polarizability of the dielectric film constituents, due to the amorphous nature of the films was also evaluated, but the results of the investigation of this contribution were inconclusive. Herein, the role of accumulation/depletion layers on capacitance enhancement was also analyzed. For capacitors fabricated with thinner dielectrics, the presence of these layers can effectively reduce the dielectric thickness, resulting in contributions to capacitance that are significant. The calculations completed suggest these contributions may be more important than fringing field contributions. Additional studies of these mechanisms are in progress.

Research Organization:
Kansas City Nuclear Security Campus (KCNSC), Kansas City, MO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA-0002839
OSTI ID:
1842278
Report Number(s):
NSC-614-4270
Journal Information:
Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 13, Issue 1; ISSN 2190-9385
Publisher:
Göller Verlag GmbHCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English