Abstract: This disclosure concerns a memory including transistors provided on a substrate; ferroelectric capacitors provided on the transistors, the ferroelectric capacitors respectively including a ferroelectric film provided between a lower electrode and an upper electrode; and a barrier film covering a first side surface of the ferroelectric capacitor, and blocking passing of hydrogen, wherein adjacent two of the ferroelectric capacitors connected in the lower electrode form one capacitor unit, a plurality of the capacitor units connected in the upper electrode form one capacitor chain, the capacitor units are arranged with a deviation of a half pitch of the capacitor unit in adjacent plurality of capacitor chains, and when D1 is a distance between the adjacent ferroelectric capacitors within the capacitor unit, D2 is a distance between the adjacent capacitor chains, and D3 is a distance between the adjacent capacitor units within the capacitor chain, D3 is larger than D1 and D2.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array of plural memory cells arranged in matrix. Each memory cell includes a first gate insulator layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, a floating gate formed on the semiconductor substrate with the first gate insulator layer interposed therebetween, a second gate insulator layer formed on the floating gate, and a control gate formed on the floating gate with the second gate insulator layer interposed therebetween. The first gate insulator layer is a first cavity layer.

Abstract: A flash-memory device has a printed-circuit board assembly (PCBA) with a PCB with a flash-memory chip and a controller chip. The controller chip includes an input/output interface circuit to an external computer over a Secure-Digital (SD) interface, and a processing unit to read blocks of data from the flash-memory chip. The PCBA is encased inside an upper case and a lower case, with SD contact pads on the PCB that fit through contact openings in the upper case. Supporting end ribs under each of the SD contact pads and middle ribs support the PCB at a slanted angle to the centerline of the device. The PCB slants upward at the far end to allow more thickness for the chips mounted to the bottom surface of the PCB, and slants downward at the insertion end to position the SD contact pads near the centerline.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device uses a damascene process to define memory elements. The device comprises a first electrode having a top side, a second electrode having a top side and an insulating member between the first electrode and the second electrode. The insulating member has a thickness between the first and second electrodes near the top side of the first electrode and the top side of the second electrode. A damascene patch crosses the insulating member aligned with the first and second electrodes, and defines an inter-electrode path between the first and second electrodes across the insulating member. An array of such memory cells is provided.

Abstract: In a non-volatile semiconductor memory device including a source region separated from a drain region by a channel region and with an electrically floating gate electrode spaced from and overlying the channel region, a flexible member is spaced from the floating gate and capable of being flexed towards the floating gate for depositing or removing electrical charge on the floating gate in response to a voltage potential between the flexible member and the channel region. In one embodiment, the flexible member comprises a contact gate electrode. In another embodiment, only a single gate electrode is employed without a separate floating gate.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device including: a semiconductor substrate having: a contact region; a select gate region; and a memory cell region; a first element isolation region formed in the contact region and having a first depth; a second element isolation region formed in the select gate region and having a second depth; and a third element isolation region formed in the memory cell region and having a third depth which is smaller than the first depth.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a sense amp circuit. The memory cell array includes bit lines connected to memory cells operative to store first logic data and second logic data smaller in cell current than the first logic. The sense amp circuit has a clamp transistor operative to clamp a bit line voltage. The sense amp circuit is operative to detect data in a selected memory cell via the clamp transistor and the bit line. The sense amp circuit is operative to read data from the selected memory cell in at least the two of first and second read cycles while a control voltage is applied to a gate of the clamp transistor. Different control voltages are applied to the gate of the clamp transistor in the first and second read cycles.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor storage apparatus including: a semiconductor substrate on which element isolation trenches are formed to define element formation regions on the semiconductor substrate; gate insulating films that are formed on the element formation regions of the semiconductor substrate; floating gate electrodes that are formed on the gate insulating films; element isolation insulating films that each includes: a coating type insulating film that is formed in a corresponding one of the element isolation trenches; and a non-coating type insulating film that is formed to cover a top surface of the coating type insulating film; a interelectrode insulating film that is formed on the element isolation insulating films and floating gate electrodes; and a control gate electrode that is formed on the interelectrode insulating film.

Abstract: Memory elements, switching elements, and peripheral circuits to constitute a nonvolatile memory are integrally formed on a substrate by using TFTs. Since semiconductor active layers of memory element TFTs are thinner than those of other TFTs, impact ionization easily occurs in channel regions of the memory element TFTs. This enables low-voltage write/erase operations to be performed on the memory elements, and hence the memory elements are less prone to deteriorate. Therefore, a nonvolatile memory capable of miniaturization can be provided.

Abstract: Provided are a nonvolatile memory device having multi bit storage and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device has a phase-change layer, a heater electrode having an end held in contact with the phase-change layer, a contact plug of different kinds of material having a first electrically conductive material plug made of a first electrically conductive material and held in contact with the other end of the heater electrode, and a second electrically conductive material plug made of a second electrically conductive material having a specific resistance smaller than the first electrically conductive material, the first electrically conductive material plug and the second electrically conductive material plug being stacked in one contact hole, the heater electrode and the second electrically conductive material plug being held in contact with each other in overlapping relation to each other, and an electrically conductive layer electrically connected to the second electrically conductive material plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor layer, a source/drain layer, first and second insulating films, and first and second gate electrodes. The semiconductor layer of one conductivity type is formed on a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate. The source/drain layer is formed on the principal surface with being in contact with one end of the semiconductor layer, and has a conductivity type opposite to the one conductivity type. The first insulating film is formed on one side surface of the semiconductor layer. The second insulating film is formed on another side surface of the semiconductor layer. The first gate electrode is formed on the one side surface via the first insulating film. The second gate electrode is formed on the other side surface of the semiconductor layer via the second insulating film, and is opposed to the first gate electrode.

Abstract: An electrically re-programmable fuse (eFUSE) device for use in integrated circuit devices includes an elongated heater element, an electrically insulating liner surrounding an outer surface of the elongated heater element, corresponding to a longitudinal axis thereof, leaving opposing ends of the elongated heater element in electrical contact with first and second heater electrodes. A phase change material (PCM) surrounds a portion of an outer surface of the electrically insulating liner, a thermally and electrically insulating layer surrounds an outer surface of the PCM, with first and second fuse electrodes in electrical contact with opposing ends of the PCM. The PCM is encapsulated within the electrically insulating liner, the thermally and electrically insulating layer, and the first and second fuse electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device that has an isolated area comprised of one conductivity and formed in part by a buried layer of a second conductivity that is implanted in a substrate. The walls of the isolated area are formed by implants that are comprised of the second conductivity and extend down to the buried layer. The isolated region has implanted source lines and is further subdivided by overlay strips of the second conductivity that extend substantially down to the buried layer. Each isolation region can contain one or more blocks of memory cells.

Abstract: Phase change Random Access Memory (PRAM) devices include a substrate and a phase change layer pattern on the substrate. The phase change layer pattern includes a sharp tip and at least one wall that extends from the sharp tip in a direction away from the substrate. At least one contact hole node is provided that contacts the phase change material pattern adjacent the sharp tip.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including: a bulk semiconductor substrate; an access transistor; a thruster formed on the bulk semiconductor substrate connecting to the access transistor; an element separating region to separate the region for the access transistor and the region for the thruster from each other; and a wiring layer connecting one of the diffused layers of the access transistor and the cathode of the thruster together through a connecting hole, the impurity region at the anode side of the thruster being composed of a p-type impurity region, an n-type impurity region, p-type impurity region, and an n-type impurity region, which are formed sequentially in the depth wise direction, with the lowermost n-type impurity region receiving the same voltage as that applied to the anode at the time of data holding.

Abstract: A method of forming a split gate memory device using a semiconductor layer includes patterning an insulating layer to leave a pillar thereof. A gate dielectric is formed over the semiconductor layer. A charge storage layer is formed over the gate dielectric and along first and second sides of the pillar. A gate material layer is formed over the gate dielectric and pillar. An etch is performed to leave a first portion of the gate material laterally adjacent to a first side of the pillar and over a first portion of the charge storage layer that is over the gate dielectric to function as a control gate of the memory device and a second portion of the gate material laterally adjacent to a second side of the pillar and over a second portion of the charge storage layer that is over the gate dielectric to function as a select gate.

Abstract: A hosting structure of nanometric components is described comprising a substrate, a first multi-spacer level comprising a first plurality of spacers including first conductive spacers parallel to each other, and at least a second multi-spacer level realized above said first multi-spacer level and comprising a second plurality of spacers arranged transversally to said first plurality of spacers and including at least a lower discontinuous insulating layer and an upper layer, including in turn second conductive spacers. In particular, each pair of spacers of the second multi-spacer level defines with a spacer of the first multi-spacer level a plurality of nanometric hosting seats having at least a first and a second conduction terminal realized by portions of the first conductive spacers and of the second conductive spacers faced in the hosting seats. A method for manufacturing such a structure is also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a first wafer and a second wafer, between which a glue layer can be used for combination. The first wafer comprises a first semiconductor cell structure, and a surface of the first wafer comprises conductive pads electrically connected to the first semiconductor cell structure. The second wafer comprises a second semiconductor cell structure and is bonded to the surface of the first wafer having the conductive pads. The first and second semiconductor cell structures are electrically connected through the conductive pads, and the conductive pads are formed around each die of the first wafer. The density of the first semiconductor cell structure in the first wafer is larger than the density of the second semiconductor cell structure in the second wafer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flash memory device and its fabrication method, in more detail, it relates to a novel device structure for improving a scaling-down characteristic/performance and increasing memory capacity of the MOS-based flash memory device. A new device structure according to the present invention is compatible with existing fabrication process and is based on a recessed channel, which is capable of easily implementing highly-integrated/high-performance and 2-bit/cell. The proposed device has a structure suppressing the short channel effect while largely reducing the cell area and enabling 2-bit/cell by forming the charge storage node as a spacer inside the recessed channel. Moreover, if selectively removing the dielectric films around the recessed silicon surface, the sides as well as the surface of the recessed channel is exposed.

Abstract: An array of memory cells with non-volatile memory transistors having a compact arrangement of diagonally symmetric floating gates. The floating gates have portions extending in both X and Y directions, allowing them to be charged through a common tunnel oxide stripe that runs under a portion of each, for example a portion running in the X-direction while the two Y-direction portions serve to establish a channel. Shared source/drain regions are established between and in proximity to the Y-direction portions to define two non-volatile memory transistors in each memory cell. Memory cells are replicated in the word line direction and then mirrored with respect to the word line to form the next row or column. This geometry is contactless because the word line and source/drain regions are all linear throughout the array so that electrical contact can be established outside of the array of cells. Each transistor can be addressed and thus programmed and erased or pairs of transistors in a line can be erased, i.e.

Abstract: An e-fuse circuit, a method of programming the e-fuse circuit, and a design structure of the e-fuse circuit. The method includes in changing the threshold voltage of one selected field effect transistor of two field effect transistors connected to different storage nodes of the circuit so as to predispose the circuit place the storage nodes in predetermined and opposite states.

Abstract: A three-dimensional phase-change memory array. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory array includes a first plurality of diodes, a second plurality of diodes disposed above the first plurality of diodes, a first plurality phase-change memory elements disposed above the first and second plurality of diodes and a second plurality of memory elements disposed above the first plurality of memory elements.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming memory circuitry. In one implementation, a semiconductor substrate includes a pair of word lines having a bit node received therebetween. A bit node contact opening is formed within insulative material over the bit node. Sacrificial plugging material is formed within the bit node contact opening between the pair of word lines. Sacrificial plugging material is removed from the bit node contact opening between the pair of word lines, and it is replaced with conductive material that is in electrical connection with the bit node. Thereafter, the conductive material is formed into a bit line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells (1). Each of the nonvolatile memory cells comprises a MOS type first transistor section (3) used for information storage, and a MOS type second transistor section (4) which selects the first transistor section. The second transistor section has a bit line electrode (16) connected to a bit line, and a control gate electrode (18) connected to a control gate control line. The first transistor section has a source line electrode (10) connected to a source line, a memory gate electrode (14) connected to a memory gate control line, and a charge storage region (11) disposed directly below the memory gate electrode. A gate withstand voltage of the second transistor section is lower than that of the first transistor section.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory transistor having a poly-silicon fin, a stacked nonvolatile memory device having the transistor, a method of fabricating the transistor, and a method of fabricating the device are provided. The device may include an active fin protruding upward from a semiconductor substrate. At least one first charge storing pattern on a top surface and sidewalls of the active fin may be formed. At least one first control gate line on a top surface of the at least one first charge storing pattern may be formed. The at least one first control gate line may intersect over the active fin. An interlayer dielectric layer may be formed on the at least one first control gate line. A poly-silicon fin may be formed on the interlayer dielectric layer. At least one second charge storing pattern on a top surface and sidewalls of the poly-silicon fin may be formed.

Abstract: A PCRAM memory device having a chalcogenide glass layer, preferably comprising antimony selenide having a stoichometric formula of about Sb2Se3, and a metal-chalcogenide layer and methods of forming such a memory device.

Abstract: An electrically re-programmable fuse (eFUSE) device for use in integrated circuit devices includes an elongated heater element, an electrically insulating liner surrounding an outer surface of the elongated heater element, corresponding to a longitudinal axis thereof, leaving opposing ends of the elongated heater element in electrical contact with first and second heater electrodes. A phase change material (PCM) surrounds a portion of an outer surface of the electrically insulating liner, a thermally and electrically insulating layer surrounds an outer surface of the PCM, with first and second fuse electrodes in electrical contact with opposing ends of the PCM. The PCM is encapsulated within the electrically insulating liner, the thermally and electrically insulating layer, and the first and second fuse electrodes.

Abstract: Flash memory devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for fabricating a memory device comprises the steps of fabricating a first gate stack and a second gate stack overlying a substrate. A trench is etched into the substrate between the first gate stack and the second gate stack and a first impurity doped region is formed within the substrate underlying the trench. The trench is filled at least partially with a conductive material.

Abstract: A flash memory device including a lower tunnel insulation layer on a substrate, an upper tunnel insulation layer on the lower tunnel insulation layer, and a P-type gate on the upper tunnel insulation layer, wherein the upper tunnel insulation layer includes an amorphous oxide layer.

Abstract: A memory unit comprising a gate electrode, a gate dielectric under said gate electrode, an active area and a metal-semiconductor compound layer is provided. The active area comprises a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, a normal field channel region formed under said gate electrode, a fringing field channel region formed between said first source/drain region and said normal field channel region, and an extension doping region formed between said second source/drain region and said normal field channel region. The metal-semiconductor compound layer is formed over said gate electrode, first source/drain region and second source/drain region.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory element includes a laminated gate provided above a semiconductor substrate with a tunnel insulating film disposed therebetween and having a floating gate electrode, a gate-gate insulating film and a control gate electrode sequentially stacked. The gate-gate insulating film includes a first silicon oxide film, a first aluminum oxide film having hafnium added thereto, a second aluminum oxide film, a third aluminum oxide film having hafnium added thereto and a second silicon oxide film sequentially stacked.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory cell including forming nanodots over a first dielectric layer and forming a second dielectric layer over the nanodots, where the second dielectric layer encases the nanodots. In addition, an intergate dielectric layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. To form sidewalls of the memory cell, a portion of the intergate dielectric layer and a portion of the second dielectric layer are removed with a dry etch, where the sidewalls include a location where a nanodot has been deposited. A spacing layer is formed over the sidewalls to cover the location where a nanodot has been deposited and the remaining portion of the second dielectric layer and the nanodots can be removed with an isotropic etch selective to the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Quantum well charge trap transistors are disclosed featuring an ion implanted region below a stack of high-low-high bandgap materials arranged in a sandwich structure. Source and drain electrodes on either side of implanted region, as well as a control gate above the stack allow for electrical control. The implanted region, functioning to provide an offset to the threshold for conduction, is less than feature size F using a technique with spacer masks created for implantation, then removed. The quantum well charge trap stack is built in the area where the spacers were removed with a polysilicon gate atop the stack. Edges of the polysilicon gate are used for self-aligned placement of source and drain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including the steps of: forming a first ferroelectric film on a first conductive film by a film-forming method including at least a step of forming a film by a sol-gel method; forming a second ferroelectric film on the first ferroelectric film by a sputtering method; forming a second conductive film on the second ferroelectric film; and forming a capacitor provided with a lower electrode, a capacitor dielectric film and an upper electrode by patterning the first conductive film, the first and second ferroelectric films and the second conductive film.

Abstract: A PCRAM memory device having a chalcogenide glass layer, preferably comprising antimony selenide having a stoichiometric formula of about Sb2Se3, and a metal-chalcogenide layer and methods of forming such a memory device.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes forming a first layer on a substrate, forming a second layer on the first layer, depositing a multi-temperature phase-change material on the second layer, patterning the second layer using the multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask, reflowing the multi-temperature phase-change material, and patterning the first layer using the reflowed multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask.

Abstract: The invention provides a layer structure comprising a first layer, the first layer comprising chalcogenide material, and a second layer being deposited onto the first layer, the second layer comprising silver and another material which decreases the mobility of silver atoms or ions or alternately the second layer being a seed layer deposited onto the first layer and the second layer comprising copper and optionally other material, a memory cell comprising such layer structure and the processes for manufacturing the layer structure and the memory cell.

Abstract: A programmable resistance memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a first electrode, a dielectric layer over the first electrode and a second electrode over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer and the second electrode each have sidewalls. A layer of programmable resistance material, e.g., a phase change material, is in contact with the first electrode and at least a portion of the sidewalls of the dielectric layer and the second electrode. Memory devices including memory elements and systems incorporating such memory devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes an upper electrode; a lower electrode and a state-variable region, in which a conductive state changes only once. The state variable region is formed in a region between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. The state-variable region comprises a first semiconductor layer of a first conductive type; and second semiconductor layers of a second conductive type, opposing to the first conductive type, which are formed on upper and lower surfaces of the first semiconductor layer via PN junctions.

Abstract: A memory cell device includes a first electrode, a heater adjacent the first electrode, phase-change material adjacent the heater, a second electrode adjacent the phase-change material, and isolation material adjacent the phase-change material for thermally isolating the phase-change material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional phase-change memory array. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory array includes a first plurality of diodes, a second plurality of diodes disposed above the first plurality of diodes, a first plurality phase-change memory elements disposed above the first and second plurality of diodes and a second plurality of memory elements disposed above the first plurality of memory elements.

Abstract: An electrically re-programmable fuse (eFUSE) device for use in integrated circuit devices includes an elongated heater element, an electrically insulating liner surrounding an outer surface of the elongated heater element, corresponding to a longitudinal axis thereof, leaving opposing ends of the elongated heater element in electrical contact with first and second heater electrodes. A phase change material (PCM) surrounds a portion of an outer surface of the electrically insulating liner, a thermally and electrically insulating layer surrounds an outer surface of the PCM, with first and second fuse electrodes in electrical contact with opposing ends of the PCM. The PCM is encapsulated within the electrically insulating liner, the thermally and electrically insulating layer, and the first and second fuse electrodes.

Abstract: Configurable circuits using phase change switches are described. The switches use phase change or phase transition material to create configurable connections between devices and/or interconnecting layers of an integrated circuit in order to change the behavior of the circuit after manufacturing. In at least some embodiments, the phase of the material can be a crystalline phase or an amorphous phase. A phase change can be caused by heating the material, such as with an ohmic heater fabricated on the IC. As one example, germanium-antimony-tellurium (GeSbTe) can be used for the phase change material. The switches can be used to create configurable circuits such as low noise amplifiers and mixers, which can in turn be used to create configurable receivers or other analog circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling to a common line in an array. Gate structures of an integrated circuit are formed. Source and drain regions adjacent to the gate structures are implanted. A source contact from a metal Vss line to a source region is formed. Dopants of the source and drain regions diffuse laterally to overlap. The overlapping diffusion regions conduct and couple the drain region to a source region. Beneficially, the drain region is coupled to the metal Vss line. As a beneficial result, source contacts may be formed along a line of drain contacts in associated rows of drain contacts, and coupled to a common source line via the novel overlapping diffusion regions. A plurality of word lines may be formed without any bending in the word lines to accommodate source contacts that are larger than the source line.

Abstract: A memory cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, storage material positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a nanocomposite insulator contacting the storage material.

Abstract: A memory cell includes a first electrode and an opposing second electrode, and a memory stack between the first and second electrodes. The memory stack includes a first layer of thermal isolation material contacting the first electrode, a second layer of thermal isolation material contacting the second electrode, and a phase change material between the first layer of thermal isolation material and the second layer of thermal isolation material. In this regard, the phase change material defines an active region width that is less than a width of either of the first layer of thermal isolation material and the second layer of thermal isolation material.

Abstract: A solid state electrolyte memory structure includes a solid state electrolyte layer, a metal layer on the solid state electrolyte layer, and an etch stop layer on the metal layer.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are provided for forming three dimensional memory structures that are fabricated from blocks of individual polymer memory cells stacked on top of each other. Such a polymer memory structure can be formed on top of control component circuitries employed for programming a plurality of memory cells that form the stacked three dimensional structure. Such an arrangement provides for an efficient placement of polymer memory cell on a wafer surface, and increases amount of die space available for circuit design.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer having a shading target region; a semiconductor element provided on the semiconductor layer in the shading target region; a first interlayer dielectric provided on the semiconductor element; a plurality of first shading layers provided on the first interlayer dielectric; a second interlayer dielectric provided on at least the first shading layers; and a second shading layer provided on the second interlayer dielectric and having a predetermined pattern. The second shading layer has such a pattern that the second shading layer is positioned at least between the adjacent first shading layers.