Low-power and high-stability SRAM technology using alaser-recrystallized p-channel SOI MOSFET

Laser recrystallization of p-channel SOI MOSFETs on an undulated insulating layer is demonstrated for SRAMs with low power and high stability. Self-aligned p-channel SOI MOSFETs for loads are stacked over bottom n-channel bulk MOSFETs for both drivers and transfer gates. A sufficient laser power assures the same leakage currents between SOI MOSFETs fabricated on an undulated insulating layer in memory cell regions and on an even insulating layer in field regions. The on/off ratio of the SOI MOSFETs is increased by a factor of 10⁴, and the source-drain leakage current is decreased by a factor of 10-10² compared with those of polysilicon thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated by using low-temperature regrowth of amorphous silicon. A test 256-kb SRAM fabricated this technology shows improved stand-by power dissipation and cell stability. The process steps can be decreased to 83% of those TFT load SRAMs if both the peripheral circuit and memory cells are made with p-channel SOI and n-channel bulk MOSFETs