Abstract: A variable resistance memory array includes at least one variable resistance memory cell, wherein each variable resistance memory cell includes a well having a first type; and a cell structure on the well, the cell structure including a structure having a second type different from the first type and a variable resistance layer on the structure.

Abstract: A contiguous block of a stack of two heterogeneous semiconductor layers is formed over an insulator region such as shallow trench isolation. A portion of the contiguous block is exposed to an etch, while another portion is masked during the etch. The etch removes an upper semiconductor layer selective to a lower semiconductor layer in the exposed portion. The etch mask is removed and the entirety of the lower semiconductor layer within the exposed region is metallized. A first metal semiconductor alloy vertically abutting the insulator region is formed, while exposed surfaces of the stack of two heterogeneous semiconductor layers, which comprises the materials of the upper semiconductor layer, are concurrently metallized to form a second metal semiconductor alloy. An inflection point for current and, consequently, a region of flux divergence are formed at the boundary of the two metal semiconductor alloys.

Abstract: An electrically programmable fuse comprising a cathode member, an anode member, and a link member, wherein the cathode member, the anode member, and the link member each comprise one of a plurality of materials operative to localize induced electromigration in the programmable fuse.

Abstract: A contiguous block of a stack of two heterogeneous semiconductor layers is formed over an insulator region such as shallow trench isolation. A portion of the contiguous block is exposed to an etch, while another portion is masked during the etch. The etch removes an upper semiconductor layer selective to a lower semiconductor layer in the exposed portion. The etch mask is removed and the entirety of the lower semiconductor layer within the exposed region is metallized. A first metal semiconductor alloy vertically abutting the insulator region is formed, while exposed surfaces of the stack of two heterogeneous semiconductor layers, which comprises the materials of the upper semiconductor layer, are concurrently metallized to form a second metal semiconductor alloy. An inflection point for current and, consequently, a region of flux divergence are formed at the boundary of the two metal semiconductor alloys.

Abstract: A first gate stack comprising two stacked gate electrodes in a first device region, a second gate stack comprising a metal gate electrode in a second device region, and a third gate stack comprising a semiconductor gate electrode in a third device region are formed by forming and removing portions of a silicon-oxide based gate dielectric layer, a first doped semiconductor layer, an interfacial dielectric layer, a high-k gate dielectric layer, a metal gate layer, and an optional semiconductor material layer in various device regions. The first gate stack may be employed to form a flash memory, and the second and third gate stacks may be employed to form a pair of p-type and n-type field effect transistors.

Abstract: An electrical fuse is formed on a semiconductor substrate and a first dielectric layer is formed over the electrical fuse. At least one opening is formed by lithographic methods and a reactive ion etch in the first dielectric layer down to a top surface of the electrical fuse or down to shallow trench isolation. A second dielectric layer is deposited by a non-conformal deposition. Thickness of the second dielectric layer on the sidewalls of the at least one opening increases with height so that at least one cavity encapsulated by the second dielectric layer is formed in the at least one opening. The at least one cavity provides enhanced thermal isolation of the electrical fuse since the cavity provides superior thermal isolation than a dielectric material.

Abstract: The nonvolatile memory device includes at least one pair of first electrode lines, at least one device structure disposed between the at least one pair of first electrode lines and a dielectric layer disposed between the at least one device structure and the at least one pair of first electrode lines. The at least one device structure includes a second electrode line including a first conductive type semiconductor, a resistance changing material layer adjacent to the second electrode line, a channel adjacent to the resistance changing material layer and including a second conductive type semiconductor different from the first conductive type semiconductor and a third electrode line adjacent to the channel and including the first conductive type semiconductor.

Abstract: An electrically programmable fuse comprising a cathode member, an anode member, and a link member, wherein the cathode member, the anode member, and the link member each comprise one of a plurality of materials operative to localize induced electromigration in the programmable fuse.

Abstract: An e-fuse structure includes an anode, a cathode, a fuse part connecting the anode and the cathode to each other, and a dielectric contacting the fuse part. The dielectric is configured to apply a stress to the fuse part, where the stress constructively acting on a migration effect of atoms constituting the fuse part. The migration effect is generated by electromigration and thermomirgration.

Abstract: An electrical fuse and a first dielectric layer thereupon are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Self-assembling block copolymers containing two or more different polymeric block components are applied into a recessed region surrounded by a dielectric template layer. The self-assembling block copolymers are then annealed to form a pattern of multiple circles having a sublithographic diameter. The pattern of multiple circles is transferred into the first dielectric layer by a reactive ion etch, wherein the portion of the first dielectric layer above the fuselink has a honeycomb pattern comprising multiple circular cylindrical holes. A second dielectric layer is formed over the circular cylindrical holes by a non-conformal chemical vapor deposition and sublithographic cavities are formed on the fuselink. The sublithographic cavities provide enhanced thermal insulation relative to dielectric materials to the fuselink so that the electrical fuse may be programmed with less programming current.

Abstract: A fuse structure includes a non-planar fuse material layer typically located over and replicating a topographic feature within a substrate. The non-planar fuse material layer includes an angular bend that assists in providing a lower severance current within the non-planar fuse material layer.

Abstract: A fuse includes a fuse link region, a first region and a second region. The fuse link region electrically connects the first region to the second region. A SiGe layer is disposed only in the fuse link region and the first region.

Abstract: A structure including a phase change material and a related method are disclosed. The structure may include a first electrode; a second electrode; a third electrode; a phase change material electrically connecting the first, second and third electrodes for passing a first current through two of the first, second and third electrodes; and a refractory metal barrier heater layer about the phase change material for converting the phase change material between an amorphous, insulative state and a crystalline, conductive state by application of a second current to the phase change material. The structure may be used as a fuse or a phase change material random access memory (PRAM).

Abstract: An integrated eFUSE device is formed by forming a silicon “floating beam” on air, whereupon the fusible portion of the eFUSE device resides. This beam extends between two larger, supporting terminal structures. “Undercutting” techniques are employed whereby a structure is formed atop a buried layer, and that buried layer is removed by selective etching. Whereby a “floating” silicide eFUSE conductor is formed on a silicon beam structure. In its initial state, the eFUSE silicide is highly conductive, exhibiting low electrical resistance (the “unblown state of the eFUSE). When a sufficiently large current is passed through the eFUSE conductor, localized heating occurs. This heating causes electromigration of the silicide into the silicon beam (and into surrounding silicon, thereby diffusing the silicide and greatly increasing its electrical resistance. When the current source is removed, the silicide remains permanently in this diffused state, the “blown” state of the eFUSE.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical fuse structure for achieving a post-programming resistance distribution with higher resistance values and to enhance the reliability of electrical fuse programming. A partly doped electrical fuse structure with undoped semiconductor material in the cathode combined with P-doped semiconductor material in the fuselink and anode is disclosed and the data supporting the superior performance of the disclosed electrical fuse is shown.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device may include at least one semiconductor layer, a plurality of control gate electrodes, a plurality of charge storage layers, at least one first auxiliary electrode, and/or at least one second auxiliary electrode. The plurality of control gate electrodes may be recessed into the semiconductor layer. The plurality of charge storage layers may be between the plurality of control gate electrodes and the semiconductor layer. The first and second auxiliary electrodes may be arranged to face each other. The plurality of control gate electrodes may be between the first and second auxiliary electrodes and capacitively coupled with the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides structures for an integrated antifuse that incorporates an integrated sensing transistor with an integrated heater. Two terminals connected to the upper plate allow the heating of the upper plate, accelerating the breakdown of the antifuse dielectric at a lower bias voltage. Part of the upper plate also serves as the gate of the integrated sensing transistor. The antifuse dielectric serves as the gate dielectric of the integrated transistor. The lower plate comprises a channel, a drain, and a source of a transistor. While intact, the integrated sensing transistor allows a passage of transistor current through the drain. When programmed, the antifuse dielectric, which is the gate of the integrated transistor, is subjected to a gate breakdown, shorting the gate to the channel and resulting in a decreased drain current. The integrated antifuse structure can also be wired in an array to provide a compact OTP memory array.

Abstract: Provided is a non-volatile memory device including at least one horizontal electrode, at least one vertical electrode, at least one data storage layer and at least one reaction prevention layer. The least one vertical electrode crosses the at least one horizontal electrode. The at least one data storage layer is located in regions in which the at least one vertical electrode crosses the at least one horizontal electrode, and stores data by varying its electrical resistance. The at least one reaction prevention layer is located in the regions in which the at least one vertical electrode crosses the at least one horizontal electrode.

Abstract: A fuse structure, a method for fabricating the fuse structure and a method for programming a fuse within the fuse structure each use a fuse material layer that is used as a fuse, and located upon a monocrystalline semiconductor material layer in turn located over a substrate. At least part of the monocrystalline semiconductor material layer is separated from the substrate by a gap. Use of the monocrystalline semiconductor material layer, as well as the gap, provides for enhanced uniformity and reproducibility when programming the fuse.

Abstract: The present invention provides structures for antifuses that utilize electromigration for programming. By providing a portion of antifuse link with high resistance without conducting material and then by inducing electromigration of the conducting material into the antifuse link, the resistance of the antifuse structure is changed. By providing a terminal on the antifuse link, the change in the electrical properties of the antifuse link is detected and sensed. Also disclosed are an integrated antifuse with a built-in sensing device and a two dimensional array of integrated antifuses that can share programming transistors and sensing circuitry.