Learning Outcomes
•At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
•Describe the physical structure and layers of a MOSFET.
•Explain how a MOSFET operates in different modes.
•Analyze the current-voltage characteristics of a MOSFET.
•Relate MOSFET behavior to its use in CMOS circuits.
Part 1: The Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Structure
Introduction to MOSFET
•MOSFET = Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect
Transistor.
•It is the fundamental building block of CMOS
technology.
•Controls current flow using an electric field, not
current injection (unlike BJT).
Cross-sectional View
•Source and Drain are n+
doped regions in a p-type
substrate.
•The gate is insulated from
the substrate by a thin
SiO₂ layer.
•The voltage at the gate
controls current between
source and drain.
Cross-sectional View
•Role of Oxide Layer
•SiO₂ layer acts as an insulator.
•Prevents direct current flow from gate to
substrate.
•Allows the gate voltage to control
channel formation via electric field.
•Very thin oxide layer → high gate
capacitance → sensitive control.
•Quiz
Principle of Operation
•MOSFET current depends on the
Gate-to-Source voltage (�
��).
•When �
�� exceeds a threshold
voltage (�
��), a conductive
channel forms.
•Drain current (�
??????) is determined
by �
�� , �
??????� , and device
dimensions (Width-to-Length
ratio; W/L).
Operating Regions of MOSFET
Region Condition Description
Cutoff VGS < VTH
No channel formed, ID
≈ 0
Linear
(Ohmic/
Triode)
VGS > VTH and VDS < (VGS – VTH)
Channel acts as a
resistor
SaturationVGS > VTH and VDS ≥ (VGS – VTH)
Channel pinches off,
current nearly
constant
Cutoff Region
•Condition:
•VGS < VTH (threshold voltage)
•Channel Status: No inversion
layer; channel does not form
•Current Flow: ID ≈ 0 (only
leakage current)
•Behavior: MOSFET is OFF
•Application Insight: Simple to
understand and rarely
confused; not used for active
control
Saturation Region
•Condition:
•VGS > VTH and VDS ≥ (VGS − VTH)
•Channel Status: Inversion layer
forms, but pinch-off occurs near the
drain
•Current Flow: ID saturates—limited
by gate voltage, not VDS
•Behavior: Acts like a current source
•Clarification: “Saturation” refers to
current saturation, not channel
saturation
•Application Insight: Most digital
switching applications use this
region
Linear (Ohmic/Triode) Region
•Condition:
•VGS > VTH and VDS < (VGS − VTH)
•Channel Status: Full inversion layer
connects source to drain
•Current Flow: ID ∝ VDS (linear
relationship)
•Behavior: Acts like a voltage-controlled
resistor
•Terminology:
•“Ohmic” and “Linear” → reflects resistor-
like behavior
•“Triode” → historical reference to vacuum
tube triodes
•Application Insight: Useful in analog
circuits like amplifiers or variable
resistors
pMOS Operation
•Channel formed when
VGS < VTH (negative
voltage).
•Source usually connected
to the positive supply
(VDD).
•Carries holes instead of
electrons.
•Complementary behavior
to nMOS.
Comparison: nMOS vs pMOS
Property nMOS pMOS
Channel Type n-type p-type
Majority Carriers Electrons
Holes (+ve
Charge)
Turn-on Condition VGS > VTH VGS < VTH
Carrier Mobility Higher Lower
Typical Use in CMOS Pull-down Pull-up
End of P1
•Quizz
Part 2: MOSFET Current–Voltage Characteristics
Drain Current Equation for nMOS
•Cutoff region:
•�� = 0
•Linear (Triode) region:
•�� = ??????� ∗ ��?????? ∗ (�/??????) ∗ [ (��� – ���) ∗ ��� – (���² / 2) ]
•Saturation region:
•�� = ½ ∗ ??????� ∗ ��?????? ∗ (�/??????) ∗ (��� – ���)²
•Where:
•μn = electron mobility
•Cox = oxide capacitance per unit area
•W/L = transistor geometry ratio
Calculation Exercise
Given:
•VGS = 4 V
•VTH = 1 V
•VDS = 2 V
•μnCox(W/L) = 200 μA/V²
•Determine:
•a) The region of operation.
•b) The drain current (ID).
•Given:
•VGS = 5 V
•VTH = 1 V
•μnCox(W/L) = 150 μA/V²
•Find the drain current (ID) when the MOSFET is in
saturation.
Calculation Exercise