Low-frequency noise measurements are performed in two types of low temperat
ure polysilicon thin film transistors (TFTs), For the first TFT process, th
e polysilicon two layer structure induces large values of the channel acces
s resistances, whose contribution to noise is dominant for large gate bias.
For the second TFT process, the polysilicon single layer structure induces
small access resistances and the measured noise is mainly due to channel s
ources, For small voltages, the channel noise spectral density evolution wi
th gate bias agrees with the mobility fluctuation model and is identical fo
r both processes. For large voltages (>2 V), the channel noise spectral den
sity evolution, observed only in the case of the single layer structure, se
ems to agree with the fluctuations of carrier density. However, this interp
retation is discussed. The results of static characterization show that the
quality of the channel active layer is quite different from the two layer
structure to the single layer structure. In agreement with these observatio
ns, the observed evolution of the relative noise with increasing gate bias
in TFTs can be interpreted from intergrain potential lowering. (C) 2000 Els
evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.