Abstract: A phase-change memory device including a first contact region and a second contact region formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating layer with a first contact hole and a second contact hole is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, exposing the first and second contact regions. A first conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating interlayer to fill the first and the second contact holes. A first protection layer pattern and a lower wiring protection pattern are disposed on the first conductive layer. A first contact with a first electrode and a second contact with a lower wiring are disposed so as to connect the first and second contact regions. A second protection layer with a second electrode is disposed on the first protection layer pattern and the lower wiring protection pattern. A via filled with a phase-change material is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A device includes an insulating layer on a substrate having a lower conductive pattern, the insulating layer having a contact hole that penetrates the insulating layer and exposes a portion of the lower conductive pattern, a catalytic pattern having a first portion on the exposed portion of the lower conductive pattern and a second portion on a sidewall of the contact hole, a spacer on the sidewall of the contact hole, wherein the second portion of the catalytic pattern is disposed between the spacer and the sidewall, and a contact plug in the contact hole and contacting the catalytic pattern, the contact plug being a carbon nanotube material.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a variable resistance structure and a phase-change memory device, after forming a first insulation layer on a substrate having a contact region, a contact hole exposing the contact region is formed through the first insulation layer. After forming a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer to fill up the contact hole, a first protection layer pattern is formed on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is partially etched to form a contact and to form a pad on the contact. A second protection layer is formed on the first protection layer pattern, and then an opening exposing the pad is formed through the second protection layer and the first protection layer pattern. After formation of a first electrode, a phase-change material layer pattern and a second electrode are formed on the first electrode and the second protection layer.

Abstract: A device includes an insulating layer on a substrate having a lower conductive pattern, the insulating layer having a contact hole that penetrates the insulating layer and exposes a portion of the lower conductive pattern, a catalytic pattern having a first portion on the exposed portion of the lower conductive pattern and a second portion on a sidewall of the contact hole, a spacer on the sidewall of the contact hole, wherein the second portion of the catalytic pattern is disposed between the spacer and the sidewall, and a contact plug in the contact hole and contacting the catalytic pattern, the contact plug being a carbon nanotube material.

Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric layer is provided. A metal-organic source gas is provided into a chamber into which an oxidation gas is provided for a first time period to form ferroelectric grains on a substrate. A ferroelectric layer is formed by performing at least twice a step of providing a metal-organic source gas into the chamber during the first time period using a pulse method to grow the ferroelectric grains.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a variable resistance structure and a phase-change memory device, after forming a first insulation layer on a substrate having a contact region, a contact hole exposing the contact region is formed through the first insulation layer. After forming a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer to fill up the contact hole, a first protection layer pattern is formed on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is partially etched to form a contact and to form a pad on the contact. A second protection layer is formed on the first protection layer pattern, and then an opening exposing the pad is formed through the second protection layer and the first protection layer pattern. After formation of a first electrode, a phase-change material layer pattern and a second electrode are formed on the first electrode and the second protection layer.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a variable resistance structure and a phase-change memory device, after forming a first insulation layer on a substrate having a contact region, a contact hole exposing the contact region is formed through the first insulation layer. After forming a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer to fill up the contact hole, a first protection layer pattern is formed on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is partially etched to form a contact and to form a pad on the contact. A second protection layer is formed on the first protection layer pattern, and then an opening exposing the pad is formed through the second protection layer and the first protection layer pattern. After formation of a first electrode, a phase-change material layer pattern and a second electrode are formed on the first electrode and the second protection layer.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a variable resistance structure and a phase-change memory device, after forming a first insulation layer on a substrate having a contact region, a contact hole exposing the contact region is formed through the first insulation layer. After forming a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer to fill up the contact hole, a first protection layer pattern is formed on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is partially etched to form a contact and to form a pad on the contact. A second protection layer is formed on the first protection layer pattern, and then an opening exposing the pad is formed through the second protection layer and the first protection layer pattern. After formation of a first electrode, a phase-change material layer pattern and a second electrode are formed on the first electrode and the second protection layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal-metal oxide resistive memory device including a lower conductive layer pattern disposed in a substrate. An insulation layer is formed over the substrate, including a contact hole to partially expose the upper surface of the lower conductive layer pattern. The contact hole is filled with a carbon nanotube grown from the lower conductive layer pattern. An upper electrode and a transition-metal oxide layer made of a 2-components material are formed over the carbon nanotube and the insulation layer. The metal-metal oxide resistive memory device is adaptable to high integration and operable with relatively small power consumption by increasing the resistance therein.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric device includes forming a ferroelectric layer on a substrate in a reaction chamber. An inactive gas is provided into the reaction chamber while unloading the substrate therefrom to thereby substantially inhibit formation of an impurity layer on the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A probe array may be fabricated by forming probes arranged on a sacrificial substrate, forming a probe substrate above the probes, and removing the sacrificial substrate. In one embodiment, first probes may be two-dimensionally formed in row and column directions on a sacrificial substrate. Second probes may be formed between the first probes arranged in the row direction such that a distance between the first and second probes is smaller than the resolution limit in a lithography process. A probe substrate may be formed on the sacrificial substrate having the first and second probes, and the sacrificial substrate may be removed.

Abstract: In a method of forming a ferroelectric capacitor, a lower electrode layer is formed on a substrate. A first crystalline layer is formed on the lower electrode layer. A ferroelectric layer is formed on the first crystalline layer. The first crystalline layer one of prevents a component of the ferroelectric layer from diffusing into the lower electrode layer and mitigates fatigue of the ferroelectric layer. An upper electrode layer is formed on the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a tunneling insulating layer on a semiconductor layer. A charge storage layer is on the tunneling insulating layer. A blocking insulating layer having a Perovskite structure is on the charge storage layer. A gate conductive layer having a Perovskite structure is on the blocking insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric layer is provided. A metal-organic source gas is provided into a chamber into which an oxidation gas is provided for a first time period to form ferroelectric grains on a substrate. A ferroelectric layer is formed by performing at least twice a step of providing a metal-organic source gas into the chamber during the first time period using a pulse method to grow the ferroelectric grains.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a storage cell including an upper electrode and a lower electrode on a substrate, and a conductive hard mask pattern directly on the upper electrode of the storage cell opposite the lower electrode. The upper electrode is formed of a metal softer than the conductive hard mask pattern. The device further includes an interlayer on the substrate having an alignment key recess therein. The alignment key recess extends towards the substrate beyond a depth of the upper electrode. An alignment key pattern may extend towards the substrate beyond the depth of the upper electrode on opposing sidewalls and on a surface therebetween of the alignment key recess. The alignment key pattern may have a distinct step difference between portions thereof on the opposing sidewalls and portions thereof on the surface therebetween. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Provided are FeRAM device constructions and fabrication methods that provide for the direct connection of metal patterns to ferroelectric capacitors. The FeRAM device constructions utilize a combination of one or more barrier layers incorporated in conductive plugs, barrier layers incorporated in primary conductive patterns or conductive patterns formed using one or more noble metals to suppress parametric drift associated with conventional FeRAM constructions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric device includes forming a ferroelectric layer on a substrate in a reaction chamber. An inactive gas is provided into the reaction chamber while unloading the substrate therefrom to thereby substantially inhibit formation of an impurity layer on the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A probe array may be fabricated by forming probes arranged on a sacrificial substrate, forming a probe substrate above the probes, and removing the sacrificial substrate. In one embodiment, first probes may be two-dimensionally formed in row and column directions on a sacrificial substrate. Second probes may be formed between the first probes arranged in the row direction such that a distance between the first and second probes is smaller than the resolution limit in a lithography process. A probe substrate may be formed on the sacrificial substrate having the first and second probes, and the sacrificial substrate may be removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric device includes forming a ferroelectric pattern on a substrate, the ferroelectric pattern including a ferroelectric material including titanium and oxygen, forming an insulating layer on the ferroelectric pattern, and planarizing the insulating layer using a slurry until the ferroelectric pattern is exposed, wherein the ferroelectric pattern serves as a polishing stop pattern and the slurry includes ceria.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a variable resistance structure and a phase-change memory device, after forming a first insulation layer on a substrate having a contact region, a contact hole exposing the contact region is formed through the first insulation layer. After forming a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer to fill up the contact hole, a first protection layer pattern is formed on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is partially etched to form a contact and to form a pad on the contact. A second protection layer is formed on the first protection layer pattern, and then an opening exposing the pad is formed through the second protection layer and the first protection layer pattern. After formation of a first electrode, a phase-change material layer pattern and a second electrode are formed on the first electrode and the second protection layer.