postmini_users_guide_v92.tex

this file is contain important facts aboute different programming langueges.

{\tt Multiple curves in datafile} to {\tt yes}.
This will suppress the retrace when the X axis value goes ``backwards.''
This is useful for plotting current-voltage or capacitance-voltage
data files.
You can also set the ``sampling'' frequency, which will cause Postmini
to use every second, third, fourth, etc. point in a file.
This is useful for reducing the size of large, closely spaced, data sets,
especially if symbols are also plotted.
Postmini also recognizes SPICE output files and has special support
to skip automatically to the simulation results output via
{\tt .PRINT} statements.

Postmini can handle ASCII files with up to 50000 data points each
(version 9.0 and higher). If you wish to plot different
columns of data as one curve, you can specify more than Y column
(version 8.2 and higher) or {\tt ALL} to select all remaining columns.

In version 8.1 and higher, Postmini can import ASCII
files which have X-Y-Z data. The X-Y-Z format is simple way to import
2D data from an arbitrary simulator. Postmini normally expects the
the data to lie on a rectangular grid. The file format
is similar to the X-Y ASCII format. You may use the same commenting
conventions, along with scaling factors, including scaling the Z axis.
The file format is:
\begin{verbatim}

    x1  y1  z
    x2  y1  z
    x3  y1  z
    .
    .
    xn  y1  z
    x1  y2  z
    x2  y2  z
    x3  y2  z
    .
    .
    xn  y2  z
    .
    .
    .

\end{verbatim}
where the x's are the X coordinate, the y's are the Y coordinate,
and the z's are the function value f(x,y).
The X and Y coordinates must be unique and must be specified
in increasing order. In version 8.2 and higher, the ASCII file reader
has been extended to read data that is not on a rectangular grid.
A triangular grid is imposed on the data.

In version 8.3 and higher, Postmini can apply general expressions to
ASCII data. For example, given a file with quantities {\tt C}
and {\tt E}, one could plot {\tt C**2 } vs. {\tt 1/E}.

In version 8.3 and higher, Postmini can also process ASCII files
that have character string labels in the X column.
Character strings are delimited by blanks, tabs, equal signs
or commas. Mathmode strings may be used.
To embed a blank, use the mathmode escape {\tt \\;}.
This type of data is used to place labels under each bar
on the X axis on bar charts.
Up to 200 labels may be input.
The user must tell Postmini to expect X column character data via
the datafile type option in the ASCII file reader menu.
%%
\section{Using POSTMINI for visualization}
After you have read in a file, you can examine the data with a
number of visualization techniques.
POSTMINI allows the user to visualize his/her simulation results
with contour maps (both filled color and tradition level curves),
quasi-3D plots, plots at various cross-sections in the structure, etc.
After selecting a menu item, the program will display the data
that can be examined (e.g. potential, doping). Select the quantity
to be plotted, or enter {\tt 999}, {\tt Q} or {\tt <return>} to exit this menu.

You will then be placed into a full menu screen that will allow you
to make a plot on your graphics device, annotate the plot,
make a hardcopy, or alter the plot characteristics, such as the
horizontal axis limits.
To alter a quantity, enter the number next to the quantity to be
modified. You will then be prompted for the quantity.
If, at this point, you decide that you don't want to change the
quantity, enter an end-of-file (control-Z on VMS, control-D on
Tru64 Unix).
If you enter an invalid response, an error message will appear under
the ``Messages:'' line.
If the screen becomes corrupted by a mail message notification or other
system message, enter {\tt R} to repaint the menu on the screen.
%
\subsection{MINIMOS coordinate system and terminology}
The following remarks are specific to using POSTMINI when examining
MINIMOS output files.
The x coordinate goes along the length direction of the FET,
from source to drain. X=0  occurs at the source end of the gate edge.
The y coordinate goes along the depth direction of the FET,
with y increasing with increasing depth. Y=0
is at the oxide/silicon interface.
Thus, negative y coordinates are in the oxide;
positive y coordinates are in the silicon.
For binary files from 3D MINIMOS runs, you have a third (width) dimension.
In the width (z) dimension, the device extends from the middle
of the channel width ($-$W/2) towards the field oxide (positive).
Z=0 occurs at the thin oxide mask edge in the width direction.

The following diagram illustrates the MINIMOS coordinate system.
%%
\mbox{}\\
\epsfxsize 4.0in
\centerline{\epsfbox{postmini_coords.eps}}
%
\subsection{1D plots}
POSTMINI provides a quick way to do an X-Y plot, or plot a quantity
along either a vertical or horizontal line.
POSTMINI provides the following default plot scales,
which the user can override:
\begin{itemize}
\item The default limits for the abscissa (horizontal) axis is the entire
device width/length/depth.
%
\item The default limits for the ordinate (vertical) axis is the entire
data range, rounded to ``nice'' numbers.
Data outside the range 0.001 to 1000.0 will be scaled by a power
of ten.
\end{itemize}
You have the option of changing the default limits to plot a portion of the
data or range.

On 1D and comparison plots, you can modify the ``scale factor''
or remote exponent for the plot
(Note, as of Postmini V7.2, you can only modify the scale factor
for the ordinate).
The scale factor is an integer power of ten that will be used as the
remote exponent in the graph.
The plot data will then be scaled according to the following relation
\begin{displaymath}
\rm scaled\_data = actual\_data / 10^{scale\_factor}
\end{displaymath}
A suggested scale factor will be displayed,
this usually results in the best plotting.
A zero scale factor means no scaling will take place before plotting.
Example: to plot data with a range of $2.2 \times 10^{3}$
to $3.5 \times 10^{3}$, you might select a data range of 2.0 to
4.0, with a scale factor of 3 (this would have been the default!).

Axis tic marks are also provided.
You can specify the major tic mark increment (real) and the
frequency of minor ticmarks (integer).
A major ticmark is a long tic mark which has a number next to it.
Example: a major tic mark increment of 0.1 with a minor tic frequency
of 5 would plot major tics every 0.1 units, and plot a minor tic every
0.02 units (thus dividing the major tic interval in five).

The annotation option can be used to interactively add text,
lines, arrows, boxes, symbols and elliptical arcs to the plot.
Text is processed by the ``mathmode'' utility,
which allows you to enter sub and/or superscripts, Greek letters,
and certain math symbols using a subset of the \TeX\ math syntax.
Read section~\ref{sec:mathmode} for details on how to enter
mathmode format strings.
%
\subsection{2D contour plots}
POSTMINI can plot a contour map (level curves) of simulation
quantities over all or a portion of the device.
The user is asked to specify the portion of the device to plot,
and the contour values to plot. POSTMINI can plot up to 9 contours
on one graph.
There are several different ways to specify contour values:
\begin{itemize}
\item You can specify the contours by individual value, e.g.
\begin{verbatim}
  1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
\end{verbatim}
%
\item To specify a number of contours equally spaced between a
min and max range, use the {\tt e} notation:
\begin{verbatim}
  e number-of-contours  minimum  maximum
\end{verbatim}
For example, to specify 5 contours between 1 and 5:
\begin{verbatim}
  e 5 1 5
\end{verbatim}
This would result in contours at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
%
\item To specify contours with a given step value, use the {\tt s}
notation:
\begin{verbatim}
  s step-value  minimum  maximum
\end{verbatim}
For example, to specify contours between 1 and 5 with a step of 1:
\begin{verbatim}
  s 1 1 5
\end{verbatim}
This would result in contours at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
%
\item To specify a number of contours with logarithmic spacing,
use the {\tt l} notation:
\begin{verbatim}
  l number-of-contours  minimum  maximum
\end{verbatim}
For example, to specify 5 contours between $10^{14}$ and $10^{18}$
in logarithmic steps:
\begin{verbatim}
  l 5 1E14 1E18
\end{verbatim}
This would result in contours at $10^{14}$, $10^{15}$, $10^{16}$, $10^{17}$,
and $10^{18}$.
%
\item To specify contours with a logarithmic step,
use the {\tt d} notation:
\begin{verbatim}
  d step minimum  maximum
\end{verbatim}
For example, to specify contours between $10^{4}$ and $10^{6}$ with a
log step of 10:
\begin{verbatim}
  d 10 1E4 1E6
\end{verbatim}
This would result in contours at $10^{4}$, $10^{5}$, $10^{6}$.
When using log steps, the minimum and maximum have the same sign.
\end{itemize}

You can combine any or all of these notations when specifying
contour values, but you must not exceed the total number of contours.

On devices supporting many colors such as workstations,
the default is to plot
contours with color fill between the contours. A different color is used
to denote different data values. This makes the contour map easier to
interpret. A legend on the side of the plot tells what values the colors
represent. The first color represents all data below the first contour
value (note the ``$<$'' before the printed value),
the second color represents all values between the first and second
contour value, etc. The last color represents all values above the maximum
of the data (note the ``$<$'').

You may also specify tranditional contour plots using lines.
Different contours may be distinguished by different colors
or by different line styles (solid, dashed, dotted, etc.),
depending on the output device.
A key to the contour values is plotted on the right side of the plot.

You can optionally plot the location of all the junctions in the
structure.
If you select this option, a dashed line will be plotted
at the approximate junction location.
If you request, the plot software will place small labels on
each level curve so they can be distinguished.

On workstations, you can use the mouse to intteractively zoom in on
a portion of the plot. Enter the {\tt Z} (zoom) command at the menu prompt.
A crosshair cursor will appear in the plot window.
Click and release the first mouse button to enter the new lower left
corner of the plot.
The cursor will change to a ``stretchy'' box. Click the first mouse
button again to enter the new upper right corner of the plot.
If you click outside the plot area, the coordinate of the closest
corner is used.
Press the second mouse button to cancel input.
To return to the full coordinates, enter the {\tt U} (unzoom) command.

On workstations, you can use the mouse to interactively take a ``sample''
of the contour data, and display the data value and coordinates.
Enter the {\tt S} (sample) command a the menu prompt.
A crosshair cursor will appear in the plot window.
Click and release the first mouse button to take a sample.
The data value at that point, plus its coordinates, will be displayed
on the menu. You can continue to click the mouse button to sample other
areas of the plot. Press mouse button two to exit sample mode.

If your data is better represented by discrete values, rather than a
continuous function, you can switch Postmini into a mode where it
plots a box around each data point in a different color,
rather than interpolating a surface. Go to the top level ``Defaults''
menu, and change the ``Default hidden line method'' to histogram.
This will also change 3D surface plots, so that Postmini plots a 3D
histogram around each data point, rather than interpolating a surface.

The annotation option can be used to interactively add text,
lines, arrows, boxes, symbols and elliptical arcs to the plot.
Text is processed by the ``mathmode'' utility,
which allows you to enter sub and/or superscripts, Greek letters,
and certain math symbols using a subset of the \TeX\ math syntax.
Read section~\ref{sec:mathmode} for details on how to enter
mathmode format strings.
%
\subsection{3D surface plots}
POSTMINI can plot an internal quantity as a surface in 3D
perspective. The user is asked to specify the portion of the device to plot;
this can be used to ``zoom'' in on a region of detail in the
device.

You can also move the viewing position of your ``eye''
relative to the 3D plot. POSTMINI uses a polar coordinate system
to specify the eye position. Position is specified with three
numbers: a radius $r$ in microns, polar angle $\phi$, in degrees,
and azimuth angle $\theta$, in degrees.
Increasing $\theta$ rotates the eye counter-clockwise around
the ``equator.''
Values for $\theta$ range from $0\degrees$ to $360\degrees$.
You may also specify a negative angle; it is converted to the corresponding
positive angle.
Increasing $\phi$ moves the eye down from the ``north'' pole
to the ``south'' pole. Values for $\phi$ range from $0\degrees$
to $180\degrees$.
The default eye position is $r = 8.0$, $\phi = 45\degrees$,