Quantum effects in the poly-gate are analyzed in two-dimensions using the density-gradient method, and their impact on the short-channel effect of double-gate MOSFETs is investigated. The 2-D effects of quantum mechanical depletion at the gate to sidewall oxide is identified as the cause of large charge dipole formation at the corner of the gate. The bias dependence of the charge dipole shows that the magnitude of the dipole peak-value increases in the subthreshold region and there is a large difference in carrier and potential distribution compared to the classical solution. Using evanescent-mode analysis, it is found that the quantum effect in the poly-gate substantially increases the short-channel effect and it is more significant than the quantum effect in the Si film. The penetration of potential contours into the poly-gate due to the dipole formation at the drain side of the gate corner is identified as the reason for the substantial increase in short-channel effects. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.