High-Performance WS 2 MOSFETs with Bilayer WS 2 Contacts

WS is a promising transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) for use as a channel material in extreme-scaled metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) due to its monolayer thickness, high carrier mobility, and its potential for symmetric n-type and p-type MOSFET performance. However, the formation of stable, low-barrier-height contacts to monolayer TMDCs continues to be a challenge. This study introduces an innovative approach to realize high-performance WS MOSFETs by utilizing bilayer WS (2L-WS ) in the contact region grown through a two-step chemical vapor deposition process. The 2L-WS devices demonstrate a high / ratio of 10 and a saturated drain current, , of 280 μA/μm (386 μA/μm) at room temperature (78 K), even while still using conventional metal (Pd or Ni) contacts. Devices featuring a 1L-WS channel and 2L-WS in the contact regions were also fabricated, and they exhibited performance comparable to that of 2L-WS devices. The devices also exhibit good stability with nearly identical performance after storage over a 13 month period. The study highlights the benefits of a hybrid channel thickness approach for TMDC transistors.