Patents by Inventor Xiaonan Chen

Xiaonan Chen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9245648
    Abstract: In a one-time-programming (OTP) memory cell, dual-voltage sensing is utilized to determine whether the memory cell has experienced a non/soft breakdown or a hard breakdown. The drain current of the memory cell is read when the gate voltage is at a first predetermined voltage, and if the read drain current is greater than a predetermined current level, then a hard breakdown is detected. One or more additional readings of the current may be obtained to determine that a hard breakdown has occurred. If the read drain current is less than the predetermined current level, then a non/soft breakdown is detected. The threshold voltage of the memory cell may be shifted, and a second reading of the drain current may be obtained when the gate voltage is at a second predetermined voltage in case the memory cell experiences a non/soft breakdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xia Li, Xiaonan Chen, Xiao Lu
  • Publication number: 20160020220
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a metal gate, a substrate material, and an oxide layer between the metal gate and the substrate material. The oxide layer includes a hafnium oxide layer contacting the metal gate and a silicon dioxide layer contacting the substrate material and contacting the hafnium oxide layer. The metal gate, the substrate material, and the oxide layer are included in a one-time programmable (OTP) memory device. The OTP memory device includes a transistor. A non-volatile state of the OTP memory device is based on a threshold voltage shift of the OTP memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Xia Li, Jeffrey Junhao Xu, Xiao Lu, Bin Yang, Jun Yuan, Xiaonan Chen, Zhongze Wang
  • Publication number: 20160012896
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a multiple time programmable (MTP) memory device. The MTP memory device includes a metal gate, a substrate material, and an oxide structure between the metal gate and the substrate material. The oxide structure includes a hafnium oxide layer and a silicon dioxide layer. The hafnium oxide layer is in contact with the metal gate and in contact with the silicon dioxide layer. The silicon dioxide layer is in contact with the substrate material. The MTP device includes a transistor, and a non-volatile state of the MTP memory device is based on a threshold voltage of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Xia Li, Jeffrey Junhao Xu, Xiao Lu, Matthew Michael Nowak, Seung Hyuk Kang, Xiaonan Chen, Zhongze Wang, Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 9230685
    Abstract: Memory programming methods and memory systems are described. One example memory programming method includes first applying a first signal to a memory cell to attempt to program the memory cell to a desired state, wherein the first signal corresponds to the desired state, after the first applying, determining that the memory cell failed to place in the desired state, after the determining, second applying a second signal to the memory cell, wherein the second signal corresponds to another state which is different than the desired state, and after the second applying, third applying a third signal to the memory cell to program the memory cell to the desired state, wherein the third signal corresponds to the desired state. Additional method and apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Strand, Adam Johnson, Xiaonan Chen, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 9224471
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods including stabilization of resistive memory. A number of embodiments include applying a programming signal to a resistive memory cell, wherein the programming signal includes a first portion having a first polarity and a second portion having a second polarity, wherein the second polarity is opposite the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Publication number: 20150333257
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Sanh D. Tang, Alessandro Torsi, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Xiaonan Chen, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 9112138
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Sanh D. Tang, Alessandro Torsi, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Xiaonan Chen, John K. Zahurak
  • Publication number: 20150138875
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods including stabilization of resistive memory. A number of embodiments include applying a programming signal to a resistive memory cell, wherein the programming signal includes a first portion having a first polarity and a second portion having a second polarity, wherein the second polarity is opposite the first polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Patent number: 9001561
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for performing forming processes on resistive memory. A number of embodiments include applying a formation signal to the storage element of a resistive memory cell, wherein the formation signal includes a first portion having a first polarity and a first amplitude, a second portion having a second polarity and a second amplitude, wherein the second polarity is opposite the first polarity and the second amplitude is smaller than the first amplitude, and a third portion having the first polarity and a third amplitude that is smaller than the first amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Patent number: 8958233
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods including stabilization of resistive memory. A number of embodiments include applying a programming signal to a resistive memory cell, wherein the programming signal includes a first portion having a first polarity and a second portion having a second polarity, wherein the second polarity is opposite the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Publication number: 20140328120
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may relate to programming a memory cell with a programming pulse that comprises a quenching period having different portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Publication number: 20140313814
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for performing forming processes on resistive memory. A number of embodiments include applying a formation signal to the storage element of a resistive memory cell, wherein the formation signal includes a first portion having a first polarity and a first amplitude, a second portion having a second polarity and a second amplitude, wherein the second polarity is opposite the first polarity and the second amplitude is smaller than the first amplitude, and a third portion having the first polarity and a third amplitude that is smaller than the first amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Patent number: 8787095
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may relate to programming a memory cell with a programming pulse that includes a quenching period. The quenching period includes an initial portion and a subsequent portion, with the subsequent portion different than the initial portion. During the initial portion, the amplitude of the programming pulse may be reduced to a first target amplitude level, and during the subsequent portion, the amplitude of the programming pulse may be further reduced to a second target amplitude level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Patent number: 8773899
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a device having memory elements and methods of storing information into the memory elements. Such methods can include increasing a temperature of a portion of a memory element for a time interval during an operation to change a resistance state of the memory element. After the time interval, the methods can include decreasing the temperature of the portion of the memory element. Decreasing the temperature can be performed using a signal having a first negative slope and a second negative slope. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Patent number: 8730708
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for performing forming processes on resistive memory. A number of embodiments include applying a formation signal to the storage element of a resistive memory cell, wherein the formation signal includes a first portion having a first polarity and a first amplitude, a second portion having a second polarity and a second amplitude, wherein the second polarity is opposite the first polarity and the second amplitude is smaller than the first amplitude, and a third portion having the first polarity and a third amplitude that is smaller than the first amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Publication number: 20140112052
    Abstract: Memory programming methods and memory systems are described. One example memory programming method includes first applying a first signal to a memory cell to attempt to program the memory cell to a desired state, wherein the first signal corresponds to the desired state, after the first applying, determining that the memory cell failed to place in the desired state, after the determining, second applying a second signal to the memory cell, wherein the second signal corresponds to another state which is different than the desired state, and after the second applying, third applying a third signal to the memory cell to program the memory cell to the desired state, wherein the third signal corresponds to the desired state. Additional method and apparatus are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Strand, Adam Johnson, Xiaonan Chen, D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20130334483
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Sanh D. Tang, Alessandro Torsi, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Xiaonan Chen, John K. Zahurak
  • Publication number: 20130258754
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a device having memory elements and methods of storing information into the memory elements. Such methods can include increasing a temperature of a portion of a memory element for a time interval during an operation to change a resistance state of the memory element. After the time interval, the methods can include decreasing the temperature of the portion of the memory element. Decreasing the temperature can be performed using a signal having a first negative slope and a second negative slope. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Publication number: 20130223163
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may relate to programming a memory cell with a programming pulse that comprises a quenching period having different portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen
  • Patent number: 8446758
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a device having memory elements and methods of storing information into the memory elements. Such methods can include increasing a temperature of a portion of a memory element for a time interval during an operation to change a resistance state of the memory element. After the time interval, the methods can include decreasing the temperature of the portion of the memory element. Decreasing the temperature can be performed using a signal having a first negative slope and a second negative slope. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaonan Chen