What is the pinch-off voltage in a MOSFET?
Technical Blog / Author: icDirectory / Date: Apr 06, 2024 15:04
Let%27s delve into the concept of the pinch-off voltage in a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor).

1. Definition:
- The pinch-off voltage (also known as the saturation voltage) is the drain-source voltage (VDS) at which the channel between the source and drain narrows significantly.
- When the pinch-off condition occurs, the channel width becomes zero near the drain end.

2. Significance:
- At pinch-off, the MOSFET enters the saturation region.
- In this region, the drain current remains relatively constant even as the drain-source voltage increases.
- The MOSFET behaves like an ideal switch, allowing maximum current flow.

3. Effect on Channel:
- As the drain voltage increases, the gate-to-substrate potential at the drain becomes smaller than the threshold voltage.
- Consequently, the channel thickness near the drain end decreases, leading to pinch-off.
- Electrically, the channel no longer acts like a simple resistor.

4. Applications:
- Understanding the pinch-off voltage is crucial for designing MOSFET-based circuits, especially in switching applications.

In summary, the pinch-off voltage marks the transition to the saturation region, where the MOSFET behaves as an efficient switch⁴⁵.


(1) MOSFET transistors - Carleton. https://www.doe.carleton.ca/~tjs/lectures/snew20b.pdf.
(2) What is pinch off effect in mosfet - Siliconvlsi. https://siliconvlsi.com/what-is-pinch-off-effect-in-mosfet/.
(3) Pinch Off in a MOSFET Explained, Lecture 59 - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggb1600vS84.
(4) Pinch off in MOSFET | Semiconductor Devices & Circuits(SDC). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-55IrAP9u8.
(5) Pinch Off In MOSFETs Simple explanation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBDFDb81XSk.
(6) transistors - What is meant by the MOSFET is pinched-off? - Electrical .... https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/503138/what-is-meant-by-the-mosfet-is-pinched-off.
(7) undefined. https://www.chu.berkeley.edu/modern-s.

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