Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism is provided and includes a fixed assembly, a movable assembly, a driving assembly and a stopping assembly. The fixed assembly has a main axis. The movable assembly is configured to connect an optical element, and the movable assembly is movable relative to the fixed assembly. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable assembly to move relative to the fixed assembly. The stopping assembly is configured to limit the movement of the movable assembly relative to the fixed assembly within a range of motion.

Abstract: Various 3D memory cells, array architectures, and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory cell structure is provided that includes a vertical bit line, a first semiconductor layer surrounding a first portion of the vertical bit line, and a first gate surrounding the first semiconductor layer. The memory cell structure also includes a second semiconductor layer surrounding a second portion of the vertical bit line, and a gate dielectric layer surrounding a third portion of the vertical bit line. The gate dielectric layer separates the first semiconductor layer and the first gate from the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for NAND flash memory are disclosed. In an embodiment, a NAND flash memory is provided that includes a plurality of bit lines connected to a plurality of bit line select gates, respectively, and a page buffer connected to the plurality of bit line select gates. The NAND flash memory also includes a plurality of load devices connected to the plurality of bit lines, respectively. The plurality of load devices are configured to provide load current during read operations.

Abstract: Various 3D memory cells, array structures, and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a 3D memory cell structure includes a vertical conductor core, an insulator surrounding the vertical conductor core, a semiconductor layer surrounding the insulator, charge trapping layers surrounding the semiconductor layer, and a word line layer surrounding at least a portion of the charge trapping layers.

Abstract: Various 3D array structures and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a word line staircase structure is provided that includes a plurality of word line layers alternately deposited with a plurality of insulating layers to form a stack and a first word line stairstep that includes all the layers of the stack. The staircase structure also includes one or more additional word line stairsteps such that each successive additional word line stairstep is formed to include less layers of the stack than the preceding word line stairstep to form the word line staircase structure. The stairstep structure also includes multiple contact holes formed in each word line stairstep to contact multiple word line layers within that word line stairstep.

Abstract: Various 3D cells, array structures and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory cell structure is provided that includes a vertical bit line, an insulator surrounding a first portion of vertical bit line, a continuous semiconductor layer surrounding the insulator and a second portion of the vertical bit line, and an extended portion of conductor material surrounding the continuous semiconductor layer. The memory cell structure also includes a first dielectric layer surrounding extended portion of conductor material, a first conductor layer surrounding the first dielectric layer, a second conductor layer surrounding the first conductor layer, a second dielectric layer on a top surface of the first and second conductor layers, a third dielectric layer on a bottom surface of the first and second conductor layers, a first gate on a top surface of the second dielectric layer, and a second gate on a bottom surface of the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: A quantum bit array is disclosed. In an embodiment, the quantum bit array includes a control gate coupled to a qubit and at least one pass gate coupled between the qubit and an adjacent qubit to control operation of the qubit of the quantum bit array, a bit line, and a first transistor channel that connects the bit line to the control gate. The array further comprises at least one word line coupled to the first transistor channel. The at least one word line selectively controls charge flow through the first transistor channel. The array further comprises a capacitor coupled to selectively store charge in the first transistor channel.

Abstract: Various 3D memory cells, array architectures, and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory cell structure is provided that is formed by a process of alternately depositing multiple semiconductor layers and sacrificial layers to form a stack, forming vertical bit line holes through the stack using a deep trench process, forming floating bodies in the semiconductor layers using an isotropic doping process through the bit line holes, depositing conductor material to fill the bit line holes, removing the sacrificial layers, depositing a gate dielectric layer between the semiconductor layers, and depositing gate material onto the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Various 3D memory cells, array architectures, and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) stackable memory cell structure is provided that includes a first material, a floating body semiconductor material that surrounds a first portion of the first material, a second material that surrounds a portion of the floating body semiconductor material, and a front gate material. The 3D stackable memory cell structure also includes a first dielectric layer located between the front gate material and the floating body semiconductor material, a back gate material, a second dielectric layer located between the back gate material and the floating body semiconductor material, and a second semiconductor material that surrounds a second portion of the first material and is directly connected to the floating body semiconductor material.

Abstract: Various 3D memory cells, array architectures, and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory cell structure is provided that is formed by a process of alternately depositing multiple semiconductor layers and insulating layers to form a stack, forming vertical bit line holes through the stack using a deep trench process, and forming floating bodies in the semiconductor layers using an isotropic doping process through the bit line holes.

Abstract: Various 3D memory cells, array architectures, and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory cell structure is provided that is formed by a process of alternately depositing multiple semiconductor layers and sacrificial layers to form a stack, forming vertical bit line holes through the stack using a deep trench process, forming floating bodies in the semiconductor layers using an isotropic doping process through the bit line holes, depositing conductor material to fill the bit line holes, removing the sacrificial layers, depositing a gate dielectric layer between the semiconductor layers, and depositing gate material onto the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A quantum bit array is disclosed. In an embodiment, the quantum bit array includes a control gate coupled to a qubit and at least one pass gate coupled between the qubit and an adjacent qubit to control operation of the qubit of the quantum bit array, a bit line, and a first transistor channel that connects the bit line to the control gate. The array further comprises at least one word line coupled to the first transistor channel. The at least one word line selectively controls charge flow through the first transistor channel. The array further comprises a capacitor coupled to selectively store charge in the first transistor channel.

Abstract: Advanced structures having MOSFET transistors and metal layers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transistor structure is provided that includes a first transistor layer, a second transistor layer located under the first transistor layer, a first power bus layer located above the first transistor layer, a second power bus layer located under the second transistor layer, and a first interconnect layer located above the first power bus layer.

Abstract: Various 3D memory cells, array architectures, and processes are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory cell structure includes a first semiconductor material, a floating body semiconductor material having an internal side surface that surrounds and connects to the first semiconductor material, and a second semiconductor material having an internal side surface that surrounds and connects to the floating body semiconductor material. The memory cell structure also includes a first dielectric layer connected to a top surface of the floating body material, a second dielectric layer connected to a bottom surface of the floating body material, a front gate connected to the first dielectric layer, and a back gate connected to the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for NAND flash memory are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is provided for programming a memory device having a plurality of memory chips that comprise multiple-level-cells. The method includes loading first data in a first chip, programming the first data into selected cells of the first chip using a single-level-cell (SLC) programming mode, and reprogramming the first data stored in the selected cells of the first chip to other cells of the first chip using a multiple-level-cell programming mode. The method also includes repeating the operations of loading, programming, and reprogramming for the remaining chips. The loading operations for the remaining chips begin at the completion of the loading operation for the first chip and occur in a non-overlapping sequential manner, and the loading operations for the remaining chips are performed in parallel with the programming and reprogramming operations of the first chip.

Abstract: Three-dimensional vertical memory array cell structures and processes. In an exemplary embodiment, a 3D vertical memory array structure is formed by performing operations that include forming an array stack having alternating metal layers and insulator layers, forming a hole through the array stack to expose internal surfaces of the metal layers and internal surfaces of the insulator layers, and performing a metal-oxidation process on the internal surfaces of the metal layers to form selector devices on the internal surfaces of the metal layers. The operations also include depositing one of resistive material or phase-change material within the hole on the selector devices and the internal surfaces of the insulator layers, such that the hole is reduced to a smaller hole, and depositing conductor material in the smaller hole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a novel memory array are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is provided for reading a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) array. The method includes activating the bit line select gates to equalize voltage levels on a plurality of bit lines, deactivating the bit line select gates to maintain the equalized voltage levels on the plurality of bit lines using a bit line capacitance associated with each bit line, and activating a selected word line to access selected memory cells connected to the selected word line. The method also includes activating bit line select gates to pass first data from a first bit line and second data from a second bit line to the sense amplifier. The first data is from a selected memory cell and the second data is reference data. The method also includes determining sensed data from the first and second data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for neural network arrays are disclosed. In an embodiment, a neural network array includes a plurality of strings, each string having a drain select gate transistor connected to a plurality of non-volatile memory cells that are connected in series and function as synapses, and a plurality of output nodes, each output node connected to receive output signals from a plurality of drain terminals of the drain select gates. The array also includes a plurality of input nodes, each input node connected to provide input signals to a plurality of gate terminals of the drain select gates, and a plurality of weight select signals connected to the plurality of non-volatile memory cells in each string, respectively. Each weight select signal provides a selected voltage to a selected non-volatile memory cell to cause the selected non-volatile memory cell to conduct current according to a selected characteristic of the selected non-volatile memory cell.

Abstract: Configurable three-dimensional neural network array. In an exemplary embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) neural network array includes a plurality of stacked synapse layers having a first orientation, and a plurality of synapse lines having a second orientation and passing through the synapse layers. The neural network array also includes synapse elements connected between the synapse layers and synapse lines. Each synapse element includes a programmable resistive element. The neural network array also includes a plurality of output neurons, and a plurality of select transistors connected between the synapse lines and the output neurons. The gate terminals of the select transistors receive input signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for memory operations disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is provided for programming multiple-level-cells. The method includes programming data to single-level-cells (SLC) on SLC word lines using SLC programming operations, applying ramp data to the SLC word lines to determine selected ramp data that matches the data stored in (SLC) cells, and programming multiple-level cells to have a voltage threshold level that is associated with the ramp data. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first plane having a plurality of first cell strings coupled to a first page buffer. Each first cell string comprises a plurality of multiple-level cells. The apparatus also includes a second plane having a plurality of second cell strings coupled to a second page buffer. Each second cell string comprises a plurality of single-level cells. The apparatus is also configured so that the first page buffer is connected to communicate with the second page buffer.