Universal Model for Ferroelectric Capacitors Operating Down to Deep Cryogenic Temperatures

Abstract: Binary oxide ferroelectrics like doped HfO2, compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) platforms, have gained significant interest for energy efficient, scalable, high-performance non-volatile memory and neuromorphic technologies. However, there is a gap in models for doped hafnia systems that can explain physical properties while being circuit simulation compatible and computationally efficient. We present a universal model based on the Jiles-Atherton equations to reproduce experimentally measured polarization switching in ferroelectric thin film capacitors under different electric field and temperature conditions. Additionally, device-to-device variation effect on the model parameters is presented, which will enable large-scale integration of the FE components to complex functional circuits. Due to increased interest in cryogenic electronics for quantum computing and space technologies, effect of temperatures on polarization switching is investigated down to 4 K. We show our model can reproduce the experimental polarization-voltage relation of Hafnium Zirconium Oxide (HZO) capacitors with nearly 100 % accuracy, for different electric fields and temperatures down to 4 K, including analog switching. We find cooling the devices below 100 K increases polarization update linearity and symmetry significantly. Our results represent an important advancement towards application of ferroelectric HZO capacitors for large-scale memory and neuromorphic circuits operating down to deep cryogenic temperatures.