Programmable logic elements and methods of operating the same

A transistor type circuit element in a semiconductor device, the transistor type circuit element comprising:

• a P-type ferroelectric transistor element that is adapted to have a first threshold voltage;
• an N-type ferroelectric transistor element that is adapted to have a second threshold voltage, wherein said first and second threshold voltages are substantially symmetric to each other in a non-polarized state;
• a channel region connecting at one end thereof to a first channel terminal and at a second end thereof to a second channel terminal;
• and
• a control electrode formed so as to enable control of current flow through said channel region, wherein said transistor type circuit element is configured to have a threshold voltage that is adapted to be shiftable to a first value wherein said transistor type circuit element exhibits substantially P-type characteristic current flow behavior in said channel region and shiftable to a second value wherein said transistor type circuit element exhibits substantially N-type characteristic current flow behavior.

A method of operating a logic element, the method comprising:

• connecting a P-type transistor element having a first threshold voltage and an N-type transistor element having a second threshold voltage in parallel, said first and second threshold voltages being substantially symmetric to each other in a non-polarized state;
• operating said parallel-connected P-type transistor element and N-type transistor element on the basis of a common control signal;
• and
• adjusting a current characteristic of said parallel-connected P-type transistor element and said N-type transistor element by commonly shifting said first threshold voltage of said P-type transistor element and said second threshold voltage of said N-type transistor element.