Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, and an array of variable resistance memory cells each electrically connected between a respective word line and a respective bit line. Each of the memory cells includes first and second resistance variable patterns electrically connected in series between first and second electrodes. A material composition of the first resistance variable pattern is different than a material composition of the second resistance variable pattern. Multi-bit data states of each memory cell are defined by a contiguous increase in size of a programmable high-resistance volume within the first and second resistance variable patterns.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device includes a substrate having a contact region, an insulating interlayer on the substrate, a lower electrode electrically connected to the contact region, a phase-change material layer pattern formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the phase-change material layer pattern. The phase-change material layer pattern includes a chalcogenide compound doped with carbon and at least one of nitrogen and metal. The phase-change memory device may have a considerably reduced driving current without increasing a set resistance thereof. Further, the phase-change material layer pattern may have an increased crystallization temperature so as to ensure improved data retention characteristics of the phase-change memory device.

Abstract: In a method of forming a chalcogenide compound target, a first powder including germanium carbide or germanium is prepared, and a second powder including antimony carbide or antimony is prepared. A third powder including tellurium carbide or tellurium is prepared. A powder mixture is formed by mixing the first to the third powders. After a shaped is formed body by molding the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target is obtained by sintering the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target may include a chalcogenide compound that contains carbon and metal, or carbon, metal and nitrogen considering contents of carbon, metal and nitrogen, so that a phase-change material layer formed using the chalcogenide compound target may stable phase transition, enhanced crystallized temperature and increased resistance. A phase-change memory device including the phase-change material layer may have reduced set resistance and driving current while improving durability and sensing margin.

Abstract: In a method of forming a chalcogenide compound target, a first powder including germanium carbide or germanium is prepared, and a second powder including antimony carbide or antimony is prepared. A third powder including tellurium carbide or tellurium is prepared. A powder mixture is formed by mixing the first to the third powders. After a shaped is formed body by molding the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target is obtained by sintering the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target may include a chalcogenide compound that contains carbon and metal, or carbon, metal and nitrogen considering contents of carbon, metal and nitrogen, so that a phase-change material layer formed using the chalcogenide compound target may stable phase transition, enhanced crystallized temperature and increased resistance. A phase-change memory device including the phase-change material layer may have reduced set resistance and driving current while improving durability and sensing margin.

Abstract: The phase change memory device includes a first electrode and a second electrode and a first phase change material pattern and a second phase change material pattern interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first and second phase change material patterns have respectively different electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device, including a lower electrode on a semiconductor substrate, a phase change material pattern on the lower electrode, an adhesion pattern on the phase change material pattern and an upper electrode on the adhesion pattern, wherein the adhesion pattern includes a conductor including nitrogen.

Abstract: In a semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same, an insulating layer is formed on a substrate having a logic region on which a first pad is provided and a cell region on which a second pad and a lower electrode are subsequently provided. The insulating layer is etched to be a first insulating layer pattern having a first opening exposing the first pad. A first plug is formed in the first opening. The first insulating layer pattern where the first plug is formed is etched to be a second insulating layer pattern having a second opening exposing the lower electrode. A second plug including a phase-changeable material is formed in the second opening. A conductive wire and an upper electrode are formed on the first plug and the second plug, respectively.

Abstract: A phase-change memory unit includes a lower electrode on a substrate, a phase-change material layer pattern including germanium-antimony-tellurium (GST) and carbon on the lower electrode, a transition metal layer pattern on the phase-change material layer pattern, and an upper electrode on the first transition metal layer pattern. The phase-change memory unit may have good electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase change memory device includes forming an opening in a first layer, forming a phase change material in the opening and on the first layer, heating the phase change material to a first temperature that is sufficient to reflow the phase change material in the opening, wherein the first temperature is less than a melting point of the phase change material, and, after heating the phase change material to the first temperature, patterning the phase change material to define a phase change element in the opening.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a phase-change memory unit, a lower electrode electrically connected to a contact region is formed on a substrate. A preliminary phase-change material layer is formed on the lower electrode using a chalcogenide compound doped with carbon, or carbon and nitrogen. A phase-change material layer is obtained by doping a stabilizing metal into the preliminary phase-change material layer. An upper electrode is formed on the phase-change material layer. Since the phase-change material layer may have improved electrical characteristics, stability of phase transition and thermal stability, the phase-change memory unit may have reduced set resistance, enhanced durability, improved reliability, increased sensing margin, reduced driving current, etc.

Abstract: In a method of forming a chalcogenide compound target, a first powder including germanium carbide or germanium is prepared, and a second powder including antimony carbide or antimony is prepared. A third powder including tellurium carbide or tellurium is prepared. A powder mixture is formed by mixing the first to the third powders. After a shaped is formed body by molding the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target is obtained by sintering the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target may include a chalcogenide compound that contains carbon and metal, or carbon, metal and nitrogen considering contents of carbon, metal and nitrogen, so that a phase-change material layer formed using the chalcogenide compound target may stable phase transition, enhanced crystallized temperature and increased resistance. A phase-change memory device including the phase-change material layer may have reduced set resistance and driving current while improving durability and sensing margin.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device includes a substrate having a contact region, an insulating interlayer on the substrate, a lower electrode electrically connected to the contact region, a phase-change material layer pattern formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the phase-change material layer pattern. The phase-change material layer pattern includes a chalcogenide compound doped with carbon and at least one of nitrogen and metal. The phase-change memory device may have a considerably reduced driving current without increasing a set resistance thereof. Further, the phase-change material layer pattern may have an increased crystallization temperature so as to ensure improved data retention characteristics of the phase-change memory device.

Abstract: In a semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same, an insulating layer is formed on a substrate having a logic region on which a first pad is provided and a cell region on which a second pad and a lower electrode are subsequently provided. The insulating layer is etched to be a first insulating layer pattern having a first opening exposing the first pad. A first plug is formed in the first opening. The first insulating layer pattern where the first plug is formed is etched to be a second insulating layer pattern having a second opening exposing the lower electrode. A second plug including a phase-changeable material is formed in the second opening. A conductive wire and an upper electrode are formed on the first plug and the second plug, respectively.