Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for forming memory structures are described. Forming a memory structure may include etching a stack of material including a conductive line, a first electrode and a sacrificial material to divide the stack of material into multiple sections. The process may further include depositing an oxide material in each of the first quantity of channels to form multiple oxide materials. The sacrificial material may be etched to form a second channel between two oxide materials of the multiple oxide materials. Memory material may be deposited over the two oxide materials and the second channel, which may create a void in the second channel between the memory material and the first electrode. The memory material may be heated to fill the void in the second channel.

Abstract: A phase change memory (PCM) cell can include a PCM layer. A first electrode and a second electrode disposed on opposite sides of the PCM layer. The first electrode, the second electrode, or both includes a metal ceramic composite material layer disposed between an upper barrier layer and a lower barrier layer and wherein the metal ceramic composite material layer provides a corresponding electrode with an electrical resistivity of from 10 mOhm-cm to 1000 mOhm-cm.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for forming memory structures are described. Forming a memory structure may include etching a stack of material including a conductive line, a first electrode and a sacrificial material to divide the stack of material into multiple sections. The process may further include depositing an oxide material in each of the first quantity of channels to form multiple oxide materials. The sacrificial material may be etched to form a second channel between two oxide materials of the multiple oxide materials. Memory material may be deposited over the two oxide materials and the second channel, which may create a void in the second channel between the memory material and the first electrode. The memory material may be heated to fill the void in the second channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for fabrication of memory cells are described. An electrode layer may have an initial thickness variation after being formed. The electrode layer may be smoothened prior to forming additional layers of a memory cell, thus decreasing the thickness variation. The subsequent layer fabricated may have a thickness variation that may be dependent on the thickness variation of the electrode layer. By decreasing the thickness variation of the electrode layer prior to forming the subsequent layer, the subsequent layer may also have a decreased thickness variation. The decreased thickness variation of the subsequent layer may impact the electrical behavior of memory cells formed from the subsequent layer. In some cases, the decreased thickness variation of the subsequent layer may allow for more predictable voltage thresholds for such memory cells, thus increasing the read windows for the memory cells.

Abstract: A memory structure can include a memory cell and a first barrier layer having a maximum hydrogen diffusion coefficient of 1×10?17 cm2/s, said first barrier layer adjacent to the memory cell to minimize contaminant movement to or from the memory cell.

Abstract: Memory cell architectures and methods of forming the same are provided. An example memory cell can include a switch element and a memory element. A middle electrode is formed between the memory element and the switch element. An outside electrode is formed adjacent the switch element or the memory element at a location other than between the memory element and the switch element. A lateral dimension of the middle electrode is different than a lateral dimension of the outside electrode.

Abstract: A memory cell design is disclosed. The memory cell structure includes phase change and selector layers stacked between top and bottom electrodes. An ohmic contact may be included between the phase change and selector layers. A multi-layer liner structure is provided on sidewalls of the phase change layer. In some such cases, the liner structure is above and not on sidewalls of the selector layer. The liner structure includes a first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer. The liner structure includes a third dielectric layer on the second dielectric layer and that is sacrificial in nature, and may not be present in the final structure. The second dielectric layer comprises a high-k dielectric material or a metal silicate material. The second dielectric layer protects the phase change layer from lateral erosion and physical vertical etch and provides etch selectivity during the fabrication process.

Abstract: A memory structure can include a memory cell and a first barrier layer having a maximum hydrogen diffusion coefficient of 1×10?17 cm2/s, said first barrier layer adjacent to the memory cell to minimize contaminant movement to or from the memory cell.

Abstract: A memory structure can include a memory cell and a first barrier layer having a maximum hydrogen diffusion coefficient of 1×10?17 cm2/s, said first barrier layer adjacent to the memory cell to minimize contaminant movement to or from the memory cell.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure, and a third electrode portion is between the first and second electrode portions. A first portion of an electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and third electrode portions. A second portion of the electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the second and third electrode portions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for fabrication of memory cells are described. An electrode layer may have an initial thickness variation after being formed. The electrode layer may be smoothened prior to forming additional layers of a memory cell, thus decreasing the thickness variation. The subsequent layer fabricated may have a thickness variation that may be dependent on the thickness variation of the electrode layer. By decreasing the thickness variation of the electrode layer prior to forming the subsequent layer, the subsequent layer may also have a decreased thickness variation. The decreased thickness variation of the subsequent layer may impact the electrical behavior of memory cells formed from the subsequent layer. In some cases, the decreased thickness variation of the subsequent layer may allow for more predictable voltage thresholds for such memory cells, thus increasing the read windows for the memory cells.

Abstract: Doping a storage element, a selector element, or both, of a memory cell with a dopant including one or more of aluminum (Al), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), and silicon (Si), can minimize volume or density changes in a phase change memory as well as minimize electromigration, in accordance with embodiments. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and a storage element comprising a layer of doped phase change material between the first and second electrodes, wherein the doped phase change material includes one or more of aluminum, zirconium, hafnium, and silicon. The storage element, a selector element, or both can be doped using techniques such as cosputtering or deposition of alternating layers of a dopant layer and a storage (or selector) material.

Abstract: Memory cells having a select device material located between a first electrode and a second electrode, a memory element located between the second electrode and a third electrode, and a number of conductive diffusion barrier materials located between a first portion of the memory element and a second portion of the memory element. Memory cells having a select device comprising a select device material located between a first electrode and a second electrode, a memory element located between the second electrode and a third electrode, and a number of conductive diffusion barrier materials located between a first portion of the select device and a second portion of the select device. Manufacturing methods are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of stack structures overlying a substrate. Each stack structure includes a first chalcogenide material over a conductive material overlying the substrate, an electrode over the first chalcogenide material, a second chalcogenide material over the electrode, a liner on sidewalls of at least one of the first chalcogenide material or the second chalcogenide material, and a dielectric material over and in contact with sidewalls of the electrode and in contact with the liner. Related semiconductor devices and systems, methods of forming the semiconductor structure, semiconductor device, and systems, and methods of forming the liner in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of stack structures overlying a substrate. Each stack structure includes a first chalcogenide material over a conductive material overlying the substrate, an electrode over the first chalcogenide material, a second chalcogenide material over the electrode, a liner on sidewalls of at least one of the first chalcogenide material or the second chalcogenide material, and a dielectric material over and in contact with sidewalls of the electrode and in contact with the liner. Related semiconductor devices and systems, methods of forming the semiconductor structure, semiconductor device, and systems, and methods of forming the liner in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.

Abstract: A phase change memory (PCM) cell can include a PCM layer. A first electrode and a second electrode disposed on opposite sides of the PCM layer. The first electrode, the second electrode, or both includes a metal ceramic composite material layer disposed between an upper barrier layer and a lower barrier layer and wherein the metal ceramic composite material layer provides a corresponding electrode with an electrical resistivity of from 10 mOhm-cm to 1000 mOhm-cm.

Abstract: Disclosed technology relates generally to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to structures incorporating and methods of forming metal lines including tungsten and carbon, such as conductive lines for memory arrays. In one aspect, a memory device comprises a lower conductive line extending in a first direction and an upper conductive line extending in a second direction and crossing the lower conductive line, wherein at least one of the upper and lower conductive lines comprises tungsten and carbon. The memory device additionally comprises a memory cell stack interposed at an intersection between the upper and lower conductive lines. The memory cell stack includes a first active element over the lower conductive line and a second active element over the first active element, wherein one of the first and second active elements comprises a storage element and the other of the first and second active elements comprises a selector element.

Abstract: Disclosed technology relates generally to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to structures incorporating and methods of forming metal lines including tungsten and carbon, such as conductive lines for memory arrays. In one aspect, a memory device comprises a lower conductive line extending in a first direction and an upper conductive line extending in a second direction and crossing the lower conductive line, wherein at least one of the upper and lower conductive lines comprises tungsten and carbon. The memory device additionally comprises a memory cell stack interposed at an intersection between the upper and lower conductive lines. The memory cell stack includes a first active element over the lower conductive line and a second active element over the first active element, wherein one of the first and second active elements comprises a storage element and the other of the first and second active elements comprises a selector element.