Flicker-Noise Improvement in 100-nm $L_{g} hbox{Si}_{0.50}hbox{Ge}_{0.50}$ Strained Quantum-Well Transistors Using Ultrathin Si Cap Layer

This letter presents a record low flicker-noise spectral density in biaxial compressively strained p-channel 100-nm L_gSi_0.50Ge_0.50 quantum-well FETs (QWFETs) with ultrathin Si (~2 nm) barrier layer and 1-nm EOT hafnium silicate gate dielectric. The normalized power spectral density of I_d fluctuations (S_Id/I_d ²) in Si_0.50Ge_0.50 QWFETs exhibits significant improvement by ten times over surface channel unstrained Si pMOSFETs at high V_g due to strong confinement of holes within the high-mobility QW and strong quantization in the ultrathin Si barrier layer enabled by low-thermal-budget device processing. The noise behavior in strained QW devices is found to evolve from being correlated mobility fluctuation dominated across most of V_g range to being Hooge mobility fluctuation dominated at very high V_g.     

Challenges of integration of high-κ dielectric with III–V materials (Invited Paper)

This paper gives a brief overview of some of the challenges and approaches of integration of high dielectric constant (high-κ) dielectrics with compound semiconductor materials for future high performance low power logic applications. Reviewed themes include interface passivation layer, atomic layer deposition self-cleaning effects and characterization of dielectric/III–V interfaces.     

Water Balance Approach for Rainwater Harvesting using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques, Jammu Himalaya, India

Judicious use of the limited fresh water resources is the need of the hour. If sufficient measures are not taken up immediately, we will face a crisis which will be detrimental to the very survival of mankind. The Kandi region of Jammu district in Jammu Himalaya is facing a similar problem of acute shortage of drinking water. One of the most logical steps towards this goal would be acknowledging the importance of rainwater harvesting. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), North Western Himalayan Region, Jammu, has already initiated few schemes to recharge and conserve the water resources. The water resources in this study area have been estimated by water balance assessment approach. The water balance study using the Thornthwaite and Mather (TM) models with the help of remote sensing and GIS is very helpful in finding out the moisture deficit and moisture surplus for an entire watershed. The water balance calculation shows that the maximum annual runoff results from the built-up areas/water body followed by agricultural land, dense forest and minimum for the barren land and open forest. The annual deficit in the Devak–Rui watershed is 0.38 mm and the annual surplus is 1,251.34 mm. GIS software’s have been used for spatial analysis for generation of various thematic layers and integration to produce the final runoff map. The total runoff of Devak–Rui watershed was calculated as 1,160.48 mm from the total precipitation of 1,429.26 mm. It was found that suitable sites for rainwater harvesting structures in the Devak–Rui watershed covers an area of nearly 11% of the watershed area whereas the rest of the watershed area was assumed as unsuitable site for rainwater harvesting.