New “Mahapatra Reliability Model” Revolutionizes Semiconductor Transistor Analysis

IIT Bombay professor’s groundbreaking methodology now integral to Synopsys’ TCAD software for enhancing chip reliability.

In a landmark development for the semiconductor industry, the “Mahapatra Reliability Model,” developed by Professor Souvik Mahapatra of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), has been officially recognized and incorporated into Synopsys’ Sentaurus Device TCAD software. This groundbreaking model addresses the growing need for reliable and efficient performance in semiconductor chips, which power everything from smartphones to high-performance aircraft systems.

Semiconductor reliability is a critical challenge, with billions of transistors packed onto each chip requiring precision to maintain their functionality over years of usage. Professor Mahapatra’s two decades of pioneering research have profoundly enhanced the industry’s understanding of transistor degradation, offering robust solutions for evaluating performance under accelerated stress tests.

Revolutionizing Reliability:
Mahapatra’s contributions stand out for their meticulous focus on transistor degradation during normal chip operation. His model offers predictive capabilities, addressing end-of-life degradation risks to ensure accurate technology development. Explaining the importance of this methodology, he noted:
"Reliability must be estimated during technology development. Accelerated stress tests help speed up degradation, but the theoretical projection model is key to assessing severity accurately."

Errors in such estimates can lead to severe consequences, ranging from underperforming products entering the market to avoidable resource expenditure on over-optimization.

Collaborative Validation and Adoption:
Professor Mahapatra has worked closely with global technology giants such as IBM, Intel, Micron, and Applied Materials. These collaborations have facilitated significant advancements in Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technologies—cornerstones of modern digital and memory systems.

Dr. Chandra Mouli from Micron lauded Mahapatra for his insights, stating: “His understanding of transistor reliability challenges is exceptional and indispensable.” IBM’s Dr. Mukesh Khare echoed this sentiment, highlighting how his research aids logic technology scaling.

As a testament to its impact, Synopsys integrated the Mahapatra Model into its widely-used TCAD software, essential for semiconductor research and development. Recognizing his innovations, the International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) 2024 also presented Mahapatra with a prestigious industry accolade.

A Global Benchmark:
The adoption of this model marks a pivotal shift in chip design and reliability testing practices across the semiconductor industry. By mitigating degradation risks with precise models, Mahapatra’s work reinforces the robustness and efficiency of critical electronics, from everyday gadgets to advanced aerospace systems.

With his continued focus on innovative semiconductor solutions, Professor Mahapatra sets a global benchmark, empowering the industry to navigate an era of increasing demands for performance, scale, and reliability.