Red-green-blue light sensitivity of oxide nanowire transistors for transparent display applications

In this study, the sensitivity of oxide nanowire transistors under red (R, 470 nm), green (G, 530 nm), and blue (B, 625 nm) light illumination was investigated. As the wavelength of light illuminating the nanowire channel region became shorter, a negative shift of threshold voltage, degradation of subthreshold slope, and increase of on-current were observed. This phenomenon can be explained in terms of photo-induced holes, creating interfacial traps between the gate dielectric and nanowire channel or reacting with oxygen ions on the surface of the nanowires. Thus, the attempt to minimize characteristic changes due to all RGB light sources was performed by employing ultraviolet–ozone treatment and passivation process. As a result, we could successfully fabricate oxide nanowire transistors providing high optical reliability which has broadened the possibilities for applying it to transparent and/or flexible pixel operation circuitry for displays with high optical reliability.