Thin-film transistor

A thin film transistor (TFT) is made by depositing thin films for the metallic contacts, semiconductor active layer, and dielectric layer.

Its main application is in design of flat-panel displays, a kind of LCD (liquid crystal display). TFTs are the better variant of the LCD technology and more flexible one, since with them each pixel is controlled individually. This is achieved by means of several transistors. As of 2004, this kind of techology has been providing the highest resolution of LCDs.

Due to its design TFT displays are often called Active matrix LCDs.

Most TFTs are not transparent themselves, but its electrodes and interconnects can be. The first transparent TFTs, based on zinc oxide were reported in 2003 by the researchers of the Oregon State University.

Applications

Active layers used

Silicon:

Nanocrystalline silicon

Amorphous silicon

Polycrystalline silicon

Poly-3-Hexylthiophene

Types of processes

Bottom-gate

Top-gate

Co-planar

Staggered