Inexpensive Measuring System for the Characterization of Organic Transistors

Abstract

A measuring module has been specifically designed for the electrical characterization of organic semiconductor devices such as organic field effect transistors (OFETs) and organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) according to the IEEE 1620-2008 standard. This device has been tested with OFETs based on 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethinyl)pentacene (TIPS-pentacene). The measuring system has been constructed using a NI-PXIe-1073 chassis with integrated controller and two NI-PXI-4132 programmable high-precision source measure units (SMUs) that offer a four-quadrant ± 100 V output, with resolution down to 10 pA. LabVIEW™ has been used to develop the appropriate program. Most of the main OFET parameters included in the IEEE 1620 standard can be measured by means of this device. Although nowadays expensive devices for the characterization of Si-based transistors are available, devices for the characterization of organic transistors are not yet widespread in the market. Fabrication of a specific and flexible module that can be used to characterize this type of transistors would provide a powerful tool to researchers.

1. Introduction

Latest trends in the electronics industry are focused on looking for alternatives to inorganic semiconductors (based on silicon) by organic semiconductors in some applications, namely, transistors [1, 2], light-emitting diodes [3, 4], photovoltaic cells [5, 6], displays [7], sensors [8, 9], and even integrated circuits [1, 10]. These new devices use the same circuits and mechanical structures than inorganic devices, with the advantage of being easier to develop and setup by conventional chemical techniques. Standards describing the fabrication procedures of these organic devices already exist, and substrates and other raw materials for their fabrication are commercially available at low cost [11–13].

Development of these new electronic devices requires their electrical characterization by means of the appropriate equipment [14]. Devices used so far for this purpose are those traditionally used for the characterization of Si-based transistors, since the operation of organic transistors can be explained on the basis of the Si semiconductors theory, with a good approach. However, it is of great interest to develop devices that allow organic transistors to be specifically studied and that could contribute therefore to improve the understanding of their operation. Characterization of these new electronic devices is hindered by the very low electrical current they provide (around 10⁻⁶ A), with the further difficulty that they usually require high voltages (tens of volts). Moreover, commercial systems that fulfill these characteristics are very expensive.

This work aims at describing a measuring device that has been specifically designed to study organic transistors, using exclusively low-cost commercial components and a software that has been specially developed for this application. The device described here has great flexibility, since it can be used for different types of transistors. Finally, this module has been used to characterize an organic field effect transistor (OFET) based on TIPS-pentacene.

OFETs have attracted increasing attention in the past decades due to their potential application as sensor systems for the detection of chemical species [15]. OFETs show superior performance compared to resistor-type, amperometric, and potentiometric sensors, and the amplification inherent to transistors enhances their sensitivity [16]. Moreover, OFETs are low cost and flexible devices that offer several opportunities for selectivity, among others, to polar vapors [17] and vapors of small-molecule analytes [18].

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. OFET Fabrication

Prefabricated OFET test chips based on low-density silicon oxide (SiO₂) substrate have been used (Ossila Ltd., Sheffield, UK). Each unit consists of 5 bottom-contact/bottom-gate transistors, with 30 μm channel length and 1 mm channel width, gold/chrome electrodes in the active area and chrome/aluminum electrodes in the contact pads. The substrate consists of a highly p-doped (Boron) silicon wafer coated with 100 nm thick layer of SiO₂ on both sides (Table 1). The doped silicon and the oxide layer provide the gate and the dielectric, respectively. A detailed schematic of the substrate is displayed in Figure 1.

Table 1 

Substrate specifications (Ossila).

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(b)

Figure 1 

(a) Schematic and dimensions of the substrate. (b) Fabrication layers (source: Ossila).

TIPS-pentacene (6,13-bis (triisopropylsilylethinyl) pentacene) has been used as a semiconductor in these OFETs [19]. This compound is a dark blue solid that is commercially available in the form of small crystals that can be dissolved in anisole, decane, toluene, and so on. Traditional deposition methods of TIPS-pentacene are drop-casting and spin-coating. In this work, drop-casting has proven to lead to better results. A solution of 2% (in weight) of TIPS-pentacene (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MS, USA) in a solvent mixture containing 91% anisole (Sigma-Aldrich) and 9% decane (Sigma-Aldrich) (in weight) has been used. 50 μl of the semiconductor solution has been deposited by drop-casting, positioning the substrate inside a Petri dish at 3.5° angle with respect to the horizontal line of a flat hotplate at 50°C during 5 minutes. Immediately afterwards, the glass lid has been swapped with filter paper. The substrate has been left to cool down for 1 minute, taking caution that the solvent condensing on the lid does not fall onto the substrate (Figure 2).

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(b)

Figure 2 

(a) Chip preparation by drop-casting deposition (source: Ossila). (b) Top view of the chip with the pentacene solution drop.

HMDS (hexamethyldisilazane) (Sigma-Aldrich) treatment of the substrate surface by vaporization has been used prior to the semiconductor deposition, in order to obtain a nonpolar surface. For that, the substrate has been washed with 2-propanol (IPA) (Sigma-Aldrich), rinsed with deionized water, and air dried. The substrate was treated in a closed Petri dish (sealed with parafilm) together with an 80 μL HMDS vial during 4 hours. Figure 3 shows TIPS-pentacene deposition by means of this technique. A dielectric thickness of 300 nm was achieved.

Figure 3 

Microscope photograph of one of the OFETs of the Ossila low-density chip after deposition of a TIPS-pentacene layer.

The electrical characterization of this transistor has been performed with the measuring device described in this work, in order to test its proper operation. A detailed description of this device and the results obtained for this TIP-pentacene OFET are provided in the subsequent sections.

2.2. Architecture of the Measuring Device

Current flowing through a device is traditionally measured with an ammeter and a power supply or a (power or voltage) generator. In recent years, almost all of the top/medium of the range measuring devices have communication ports that allow for control of the instruments (GP-IB, RS232, USB, Ethernet, etc.). In order to plot the I-V characteristics of a device, it is necessary to measure the drain-source current (I_DS) and the drain-source voltage (V_DS) for fixed values of the gate-source voltage (V_GS). That is, a V_DS sweep is performed in a certain interval for every selected value of V_GS, while measuring simultaneously I_DS and V_DS. This can be performed manually, changing the applied voltage and measuring the current point-by-point. Several programs that allow a generator and a measuring device to be controlled simultaneously using a computer have now come on the market. Nowadays, there are systems that can source a voltage (or electrical current) and read back the associated current (or voltage) simultaneously. These are called source and measurement units (SMUs). A defining SMU characteristic is that they have four-quadrant outputs. They are able to source power in quadrants I and III, as well as sink power in quadrants II and IV. The device developed in this work is based on the NI-PXIe-1073 chassis (National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA). This has been connected to the PCI-e bus of a computer, in order to be controlled (either a laptop or a desktop with Windows 7). This chassis accepts a variety of peripheral module types to be installed. In this work, two NI-PXI-4132 SMU modules (National Instruments) have been selected.

Each one of these SMUs offers up to ±100 V output (with voltage programming resolution down to 50 μV, accuracy of 0.025%, and offset of 3 mV), with current measurement resolution down to 10 pA, accuracy of 0.028%, and offset of 1 nA. The combination of these features makes this system ideal for the measurement of almost all the characteristics of organic semiconductors. The only inconvenient is that OFET characterization requires current sensitivity into the nanoamperes range and below, which is comparable to the module offset. This demands the use of calibration and compensation techniques to ensure correct measurement.

The SMUs are in turn connected to an EverBeing PE-4 probe station (EverBeing Int’l Corp., Hsinchu, Taiwan), consisting of three test probes, three micropositioners, and three triaxial (coaxial) wires. A test probe is used in each one of the terminals of the transistor (gate, source, and drain). The test probes can be moved in several directions with the micropositioners, which allows for measurement of any type of transistor and wafer. The L wires of the SMU-1 and SMU-2 are connected to the source, the H wire of the SMU-1 is connected to the drain, and the H wire of the SMU-2 is connected to the gate. Due to the low-level current provided by the organic transistors, 2 wire measurements are performed for the characterization of these transistors. Figure 4 displays the diagram of the complete device. An expansion card has been inserted on the computer motherboard via the PCI-e bus. The wire that has been used to connect the computer with the PXI chassis is several meters long. This allows the computer to be kept away from the device under test (D.U.T.).

Figure 4 

Buses and connection diagram.

The device has been programmed so that measurements and procedures meet the IEEE 1620-2008 standard for test methods for the characterization of organic transistors and materials [20], and the results can be comparable to those obtained with commercial instruments. The device that has been developed here is able to measure and plot transfer curves (I_DS versus V_DS) and to calculate threshold voltage, V_T, carrier mobility, μ, (both in the linear regime and the saturation regime), on/off ratio, and so forth. It can also be used to perform measurements in a certain time interval. This can be useful to record the change in a magnitude with time (i.e., I_DS) or when a change in the characterization environment of the OFET occurs (i.e., when a pollutant is added).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Parameter Extraction Program

As previously mentioned, procedures for obtaining the characterization parameters have been developed according to the IEEE 1620-2008 standard [20]. Test methods are mainly based on the determination of the following parameters: (i)Transfer curves (I_DS versus V_GS), which allow for determination of carrier mobility, μ, and threshold voltage, V_T.(ii)Output curves (I_DS versus V_DS), which allow for determination of the channel resistance (R_DS) when the device operates in the ohmic (linear) regime and the characteristics of the saturation regime. These curves can also be used to determine whether the device exhibits FET-like behaviour.(iii)Gate leakage curves (I_GS versus V_GS), which allow for characterization of the gate dielectric quality and for determination of the leakage current from the gate to the channel (I_leakage).

The test system is controlled by a program that has been developed using LabVIEW (National Instruments). Four modules of this system are currently available: I_DS versus V_DS measurement, I_DS versus V_GS measurement, I_DS versus time measurement, and I_GS versus V_GS measurement. Figure 5 shows the flowchart of the different measurement procedures of the test system.

Figure 5 

Flowchart of the test system.

3.1.1. I_DS versus V_DS Module

This module is based on the measurement of the drain characteristics. The drain current (I_DS) is measured versus the drain voltage (V_DS) for different gate voltages (V_GS). Figure 6 shows a screenshot of this module and Figure 7 displays the output curves corresponding to the TIPS-pentacene OFET described previously. Configuration of the following parameters is required to run this module: V_DS start, V_DS stop, V_DS step, I_DS current limit, and V_DS delay (dwell time). The dwell time corresponds to the duration from the time when the measurement voltage is applied to the time when the measurement is recorded. This parameter is used to minimize measurement errors due to current transients.

Figure 6 

Screenshot of the program running the I_DS versus V_DS module.

Figure 7 

I_DS-V_DS curves of the TIPs-pentacene OFET.

Two types of tests can be performed. The first test (V_GS sweep) consists of a scan between two selected values of V_GS, that is, the V_DS value is swept between two limits for each V_GS step. As a result, a set of curves is obtained. In the second test (V_GS fixed), a scan is performed for a fixed V_GS. As a result, a single characteristic curve is obtained.

3.1.2. I_DS versus V_GS Module

This module is based on a transfer measurement (I_DS versus V_GS for a fixed V_DS). This curve allows for the determination of additional parameters like threshold voltage (V_T), on/off ratio (I_on/I_off), subthreshold swing (S) and carrier mobility (μ). Moreover, measurements can be performed either in the linear regime or in the saturation regime.

(1) Linear Regime. Two types of scans can be performed for the determination of I_DS versus V_GS in the linear regime: simple (single linear scan) and hysteresis (there-and-back scan). The threshold voltage (V_T) corresponds to the interception with the x-axis (V_GS) of the straight line with the same slope in the linear part of the I_DS-V_GS curve (Figure 8(a)). The on/off ratio (I_on/I_off) can also be determined by dividing the maximum I_DS value by the minimum I_DS value obtained from the transfer curve.

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(b)

Figure 8 

I_DS-V_GS curves of the TIPs-pentacene OFET in (a) the linear regime and (b) the saturation regime.

The carrier mobility (μ) of the semiconductor can also be derived through transfer curve measurement of the device, in combination with geometric and electrical parameters of the OFET that are additional inputs to be provided by the user. Carrier mobility also requires knowledge of the slope of the linear part of the transfer curve. The program developed here allows for the determination of carrier mobility by means of three different methods: (i)Backward derivative (B.D.): (ii)Two-point derivative (T.P.): (iii)Least square fit derivative (alpha): where Cox is the capacitance per unit area, V_DS is the voltage measured between the drain electrode and the source electrode (fixed value), L is the channel length, W is the channel width, I_DS is the current flow measured through the drain electrode, and h is the step between two consecutive V_GS. The slope α is determined with three points of the curve by the leas-squares method. Figure 9(a) shows an example of the determination of carrier mobility using the backward derivative method.

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(b)

Figure 9 

Carrier mobility values of the TIPs-pentacene OFET determined with the backward derivative method in (a) the linear regime and (b) the saturation regime.

(2) Saturation Regime. The OFET behaviour in the saturation regime can be properly displayed in an I-V diagram, where the square root of I_DS and the logarithm of I_DS are plotted versus V_GS. Figure 8(b) shows an example of this diagram. The threshold voltage (V_T) can be obtained similarly to that of the linear regime, using the curve of the square root of the drain current (I_DS) versus the gate-source voltage (V_GS). The on/off ratio (I_on/I_off) can be obtained from the maximum and minimum values of the curve of the logarithm of I_DS versus V_GS. The subthreshold swing (S) corresponds to the maximum slope of the log(I_DS) versus V_GS curve in the saturation regime. Carrier mobility (μ) in the saturation regime can also be obtained similarly to that of the linear regime (Figure 9(b)).

3.1.3. Measurements as a Function of Time

OFETs in general have been demonstrated as effective sensors in both liquid (H⁺, glucose, hydrogen peroxide, Cu(II) ions, etc.) and gaseous environments (water vapor, chloroform, ammonia, etc.) [15]. Response of these sensors is usually not immediate, since the semiconductor has to react with the analyte. In order to study the OFET behaviour in transients, a module that monitors changes of I_DS with time has been included in the characterization program. By providing values of V_GS, V_DS, and storage time, I_DS values are displayed in real time. Furthermore, since sensing experiments are usually performed while changing the analyte concentration, the program developed here can also indicate when the change in concentration occurs.

3.1.4. I_GS versus V_GS Measurements

This is the most demanding measurement of the acquisition system, since I_GS is very small and several orders of magnitude below I_DS (which is also small by itself). Thus, to perform this measurement, the sensitivity in the determination of V_GS by the SMU must be enhanced as much as possible. This in turn leads to a significant increase in the measurement time. Figure 10 shows an example of the gate leakage measurement performed with this device.

Figure 10 

I_GS-V_GS values for a fixed V_DS of the TIPs-pentacene OFET.

3.2. Characterization of the TIPS-Pentacene OFET

The main characteristic parameters of the TIPS-pentacene OFET that have been determined in this work according to the IEEE 1620-2008 standard are summarized in Table 2. The threshold voltage that has been obtained is in good agreement with that reported by Ossila for this transistor. A better carrier mobility has been found than that reported by Ossila [21].

Table 2 

Characterization of the TIPS-pentacene OFET according to the IEEE1620-2008 standard.

3.3. Comparison with a Standard Semiconductor Test System

A comparative measurement has been made between the equipment described in this work and a high-quality semiconductor characterization equipment (Keithley 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer) to check its reliability. Figure 11 shows the I_GS versus V_GS curves obtained with these two types of equipment. An error of 4% has been found in the results of our measuring module compared to those of the Keithley equipment.

Figure 11 

I_DS-V_DS curves obtained with the Keithley 4200 A-SCS equipment and the equipment described in this work.

4. Conclusions

The unique properties of organic semiconductors cause measurement issues that are not typically encountered with inorganic semiconductors. This renders difficult the electrical characterization of organic transistors, since commercial devices have been all designed for characterizing Si-based transistors. It is therefore of great interest to develop a device that can be used for specifically testing organic transistors. In this work, a low-cost device which allows for systematic characterization of OFETs has been developed. This measuring device allows for easy determination of the minimum reporting parameters as specified in the IEEE 1620-2008 standard. As an example, this device has been used for the characterization of TIPS-pentacene OFETs.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Authors’ Contributions

Eduardo García-Breijo conceived and designed the measuring module. José Vicente Lidón-Roger constructed the measuring module. Laura Contat-Rodrigo and Eduardo García-Breijo designed the experiments for the electrical characterization of the transistors and for DCP sensing. Clara Pérez-Fuster and José Vicente Lidón-Roger fabricated the transistors and performed the electrical measurements. Clara Pérez-Fuster performed the experimental tests for DCP sensing. All the authors analyzed the data and wrote the paper.

Acknowledgments

All financial support from the Spanish Government and FEDER funds (MAT2015-64139-C4-3-R (MINECO/FEDER)) and the Generalitat Valenciana (GVA funds) (AICO/2015/103) is gratefully acknowledged.