Oxide TFTs: A Progress Report

Abstract

For flat‐panel‐display backplane applications, oxide‐TFT technology is the new kid on the block – recently conceived and in its early stages of commercialization. How is it going for oxide‐TFT technology as it attempts to match up with a‐Si:H and LTPS technology?

TFT Technology: Advancements and Opportunities for Improvement

“…COMMERCIAL FLAT‐PANEL DISPLAY BACKPLANE OPTIONS are currently limited to three thin‐film transistor (TFT) technologies: hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H), low‐temperature polysilicon (LTPS), and oxide 1,2 . As Table 1 indicates, each technology brings a trade‐off.…”

P‐46: An Oxide‐Semiconductor (OS) Technology‐Based Display Controller Suitable for an OS Display Comprising a Non‐Volatile Scan Register for Display‐Parameter Setting

“…The OS display achieves high resolution (8K4K) and high pixel density (1058 ppi) by using an OS for pixels [7]. The power consumption is reduced by driving with a low refresh rate (we refer to this as idling step (IDS) driving) [8] by utilizing an ultralow off-state current [9][10][11] of OS FETs. These features have raised expectations that the OS display will be applicable to a wide range of devices such as mobile appliances (e.g., smartphones and tablets), household TVs, and medical monitors.…”

Thin‐film transistor mobility limits considerations

“…This is also true of the integrated circuit industry. This display industry desire is motivated by the trends towards higher‐resolution, higher refresh rate active‐matrix liquid‐crystal displays as well as the emergence of active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode displays as all these technologies require thin‐film transistors (TFTs) with higher drive currents …”

“…This display industry desire is motivated by the trends towards higher-resolution, higher refresh rate active-matrix liquid-crystal displays as well as the emergence of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays as all these technologies require thin-film transistors (TFTs) with higher drive currents. 1,2 Amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOS) and amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) specifically are now being commercialized for display backplane applications. A key advantage of AOSs compared with hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is their higher electron mobility.…”