Random telegraph signal currents and low-frequency noise in junction field effect transistors

The detailed study of random telegraph signal (RTS) currents and low-frequency (LF) noise in semiconductor devices in recent years has confirmed their cause and effect relationship. In this paper we describe the physical mechanisms responsible for RTS currents in any device. The methods for calculating the amplitudes and characteristic times of the RTS currents produced by traps with known electrical characteristics and locations are described. The noise spectra in junction field effect transistors (JFET´s) resulting from traps in the silicon or the oxide are derived as a function of basic device parameters, operating conditions and temperature. Experimental results verifying the predictions of the models are presented