Term of the Moment
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Redirected from: fin field-effect transistor
Definition: FinFET
(FIN Field-Effect Transistor) A 3D transistor architecture that uses one or more raised channels (fins) from source to drain. FinFETs are the predominant transistor architecture that replaced technology nodes smaller than 20 nm, and most FinFETs are wired as CMOS circuits (one negative; one positive). For example, Intel's Tri-Gate is a type of FinFET transistor (see Tri-Gate transistor and SuperFIN). To make chips under five nanometers, GAAFETs are replacing FinFETs (see GAAFET). See CMOS, FET and MOSFET.
The Wrap-Around Gate
Emerging in the 2010s, FinFETs enable faster switching times and have a higher current density than regular CMOS transistors. The wrap-around gate reduces current leakage between source and drain. Although the triple-fin variety (above) is indeed used, in practice, most FinFETs use one or two fins. See chip manufacturing. (Image courtesy of Intel.)