Electrical Contacts Patents (Class 365/164)
  • Patent number: 10943628
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for managing clock signals at a memory device are described. A memory device or other component of a memory module or electronic system may offset a received clock signal. For example, the memory device may receive a clock signal that has a nominal speed or frequency of operation for a system, and the memory device may adjust or offset the clock signal based on other operating factors, such as the speed or frequency of other signals, physical constraints, indications received from a host device, or the like. A clock offset value may be based on propagation of, for example, command/address signaling. In some examples, a memory module may include a registering clock driver (RCD), hub, or local controller that may manage or coordinate clock offsets among or between various memory devices on the module. Clock offset values may be programmed to a mode register or registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randon K. Richards, Dirgha Khatri
  • Patent number: 10727016
    Abstract: A electromechanical relay device (100) comprising a source electrode (102), a beam (104) mounted on the source electrode at a first end and electrically coupled to the source electrode; a first drain electrode (112) located adjacent a second end of the beam, wherein a first contact (110) on the beam is arranged to be separated from a second contact (112) on the first drain electrode when the relay device is in a first condition; a first gate electrode (106 arranged to cause the beam to deflect, to electrically couple the first contact and the second contact such that the device is in a second condition; and wherein the first and second contacts are each coated with a layer of nanocrystalline graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: The University of Bristol
    Inventors: Sunil Rana, Dinesh Pamunuwa, Liam Anand Boodhoo, Harold Meng Hoon Chong
  • Patent number: 10325655
    Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit may comprise a temperature sensor to sense a temperature signal of a memristor crossbar array, a signal converter to convert the temperature signal to an electrical control signal, and a voltage compensation circuit to determine a compensation voltage based on the electrical control signal and pre-calibrated temperature data of the memristor crossbar array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
    Inventors: Ning Ge, Jianhua Yang, Miao Hu, John Paul Strachan
  • Patent number: 10164175
    Abstract: A method for providing magnetic junctions is described. Each magnetic junction includes a free layer. A first portion of a stack for the magnetic junctions is provided. The first portion of a stack includes magnetic layer(s) for the free layer. A hard mask is provided. The hard mask covers a part of the first portion of the stack corresponding to the magnetic junctions. The hard mask includes aperture(s) exposing a second part of the first portion of the stack corresponding to spacing(s) between the magnetic junctions. The spacing(s) are not more than fifty nanometers. The second part of the first portion of the stack is etched. A remaining part of the first portion of the stack forms a first portion of each magnetic junction. This first portion of each magnetic junction includes the free layer. A second portion of the stack for the magnetic junctions is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mohamad Towfik Krounbi, Dustin William Erickson, Xueti Tang, Donkoun Lee
  • Patent number: 10103199
    Abstract: A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes: a conductive nonmagnetic layer including a first terminal, a second terminal, and a region between the first terminal and the second terminal; a magnetoresistive element including: a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer disposed between the region and the first magnetic layer; and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; a transistor including a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a control terminal, the third terminal being electrically connected to the first terminal; a first wiring electrically connected to the first magnetic layer and the fourth terminal; a second wiring electrically connected to the control terminal; and a third wiring electrically connected to the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tadaomi Daibou, Naoharu Shimomura, Yuuzo Kamiguchi, Hiroaki Yoda, Yuichi Ohsawa, Tomoaki Inokuchi, Satoshi Shirotori
  • Patent number: 9767923
    Abstract: A three-dimensional flash memory system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hieu Van Tran, Hung Quoc Nguyen, Mark Reiten
  • Patent number: 9755669
    Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to variation calibration for envelope tracking on chip are described. Envelope tracking (ET) statistics among multiple wireless-capable mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) may be collected in laboratory. Optimal ET parameters may be determined based on ET statistics. An ET setting file may be generated for ET factory calibration. In production lines, the ET setting file may be loaded into each mobile device for ET factory calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Yen-Liang Chen, Chia-Sheng Peng, Da-Wei Sung
  • Patent number: 9515254
    Abstract: A storage element is provided. The storage element includes a memory layer having a first magnetization state of a first material; a fixed magnetization layer having a second magnetization state of a second material; an intermediate layer including a nonmagnetic material and provided between the memory layer and the fixed magnetization layer; wherein the first material includes Co—Fe—B alloy, and at least one of a non-magnetic metal and an oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Yamane, Masanori Hosomi, Hiroyuki Ohmori, Kazuhiro Bessho, Yutaka Higo, Hiroyuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 9424925
    Abstract: The invention relates, inter alia, to a memory cell (10) comprising at least one binary memory area for storing bit information. According to the invention it is provided that the memory area (SB) can optionally store holes or electrons and allows a recombination of holes and electrons, the charge carrier type of the charge carriers stored in the memory area defines the bit information of the memory area, and a charge carrier injection device (PN) is present, by means of which optionally holes or electrons can be injected into the memory area (SB) and the bit information can thus be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Technische Universität Berlin
    Inventors: Andreas Marent, Dieter Bimberg
  • Patent number: 9419205
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a magnetic memory device, comprising: depositing a carbon layer comprising amorphous carbon on a substrate; annealing the carbon layer to activate dopants contained therein; and selectively etching portions of the carbon layer to forms lines of spaced apart carbon conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: III HOLDINGS 1, LLC
    Inventor: Krishnakumar Mani
  • Patent number: 9324940
    Abstract: A storage element is provided. The storage element includes a memory layer having a first magnetization state of a first material; a fixed magnetization layer having a second magnetization state of a second material; an intermediate layer including a nonmagnetic material and provided between the memory layer and the fixed magnetization layer; wherein the first material includes Co—Fe—B alloy, and at least one of a non-magnetic metal and an oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Yamane, Masanori Hosomi, Hiroyuki Ohmori, Kazuhiro Bessho, Yutaka Higo, Hiroyuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 9263668
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic tunnel junction device and a manufacturing method thereof. The magnetic tunnel junction device includes: i) a first magnetic layer including a compound having a chemical formula of (A100-xBx)100-yCy; ii) an insulating layer deposited on the first magnetic layer; and iii) a second magnetic layer deposited on the insulating layer and including a compound having a chemical formula of (A100-xBx)100-yCy. The first and second magnetic layers have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, A and B are respectively metal elements, and C is at least one amorphizing element selected from a group consisting of boron (B), carbon (C), tantalum (Ta), and hafnium (Hf).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Gyung-Min Choi, Byoung Chul Min, Kyung Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 9224942
    Abstract: There is disclosed a memory element including a layered structure including a memory layer that has a magnetization perpendicular to a film face; a magnetization-fixed layer; and an insulating layer provided between the memory layer. An electron that is spin-polarized is injected in a lamination direction of a layered structure, a magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the memory layer receives is smaller than a saturated magnetization amount of the memory layer, in regard to the insulating layer that comes into contact with the memory layer, and the other side layer with which the memory layer comes into contact at a side opposite to the insulating layer, at least an interface that comes into contact with the memory layer is formed of an oxide film, and the memory layer includes at least one of non-magnetic metal and oxide in addition to a Co—Fe—B magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Yamane, Masanori Hosomi, Hiroyuki Ohmori, Kazuhiro Bessho, Yutaka Higo, Hiroyuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 9019756
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory bitcell includes a program electrode, an erase electrode, a cantilever electrode connected to a bi-stable cantilever positioned between the program electrode and the erase electrode, and switching means connected to the program electrode arranged to apply a voltage potential onto the program electrode, or to detect or to prevent the flow of current from the cantilever to the program electrode. The switching means may comprise a switch having a first node, a second node, and a control node, wherein voltage is applied to the control node to activate the switch to provide a connection between the first node and the second node. The switching means may comprise a pass-gate. The switching means may comprise an NMOS transistor. The switching means may comprise a PMOS transistor. The switching means may comprise a MEMS switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cavendish Kinetics, Ltd
    Inventor: Robertus Petrus van Kampen
  • Patent number: 9001565
    Abstract: A memory mat (101) includes a main body portion (200) that includes a first capacitor (203A), a linear conductive film (204) that is formed between the main body portion (200) and a peripheral circuit (104), and a second capacitor (203B) that is formed to be in contact with the conductive film (204) at a bottom of the second capacitor (203B). The first capacitor (203A) is in contact with a contact layer (202) at a bottom of the first capacitor (203A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Noriaki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8999808
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory element includes a first and a second electrode layers, and a variable resistance layer provided between the first and the second electrode layers and having a resistance value reversibly changing according to application of an electrical pulse, wherein the variable resistance layer includes a first variable resistance layer contacting the first electrode layer and comprising an oxygen-deficient first metal oxide, and a second variable resistance layer contacting the first variable resistance layer and comprising a second metal oxide having a smaller oxygen deficiency than the first metal oxide, and including host layers and an inserted layer between each of adjacent pairs of the host layers, wherein the second metal oxide of the inserted layer has a larger oxygen deficiency than the second metal oxide of the host layer, and the first metal oxide has a larger oxygen deficiency than the second metal oxide of the host layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Fujii, Takumi Mikawa
  • Patent number: 8988931
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise apparatuses having at least two resistance change memory (RCM) cells. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes at least two electrical contacts coupled to each of the RCM cells. A memory cell material is disposed between pairs of each of the electrical contacts coupled to each of the RCM cells. The memory cell material is capable of forming a conductive pathway between the electrical contacts with at least a portion of the memory cell material arranged to cross-couple a conductive pathway between select ones of the at least two electrical contacts electrically coupled to each of the at least two RCM cells. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 8964440
    Abstract: A stack that includes non-volatile memory devices is disclosed. One of the non-volatile memory devices in the stack is a master device, and the remaining memory device or devices is a slave device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8958227
    Abstract: Multiple integrated circuits (ICs) die, from different wafers, can be picked-and-placed, front-side planarized using a vacuum applied to a planarizing disk, and attached to each other or a substrate. The streets between the IC die can be filled, and certain techniques or fixtures allow application of monolithic semiconductor wafer processing for interconnecting different die. High density I/O connections between different IC die can be obtained using structures and techniques for aligning vias to I/O structures, and programmably routing IC I/O lines to appropriate vias. Existing IC die can be retrofitted for such interconnection to other IC die, such as by using similar techniques or tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: CrossFire Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Atkinson, Clifford H. Boler
  • Patent number: 8923029
    Abstract: The field programmable read-only memory device includes a memory cell having a switching element for storing bit information. The switching element provides a switchable electrical connection between a word line and a bit line and includes a static body and a movable connecting element. The switchable electrical connection is non-volatile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Meinolf Blawat, Holger Kropp
  • Patent number: 8885384
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a mask-ROM with reserved space (mask-ROMRS). For small content revision, the present invention salvages the original data-mask by writing the data-pattern of new content into a reserved mask-region which originally has no data-pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: ChengDu HaiCun IP Technology LLC
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8792288
    Abstract: A system on chip (SoC) provides a nonvolatile memory array that is configured as n rows by m columns of bit cells. Each of the bit cells is configured to store a bit of data. There are m bit lines each coupled to a corresponding one of the m columns of bit cells. There are m write drivers each coupled to a corresponding one of the m bit lines, wherein the m drivers each comprise a write one circuit and a write zero circuit. The m drivers are operable to write all ones into a row of bit cells in response to a first control signal coupled to the write one circuits and to write all zeros into a row of bit cells in response to a second control signal coupled to the write zero circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporation
    Inventors: Steven Craig Bartling, Sudhanshu Khanna
  • Patent number: 8743599
    Abstract: A memory chip and methods of fabricating a memory device with different programming performance and retention characteristics on a single wafer. One method includes depositing a first bounded area of phase change material on the wafer and depositing a second bounded area of phase change material on the wafer. The method includes modifying the chemical composition of a switching volume of the first bounded area of phase change material. The method includes forming a first memory cell in the first bounded area of phase change material with a modified switching volume of phase change material and a second memory cell in the second bounded area of phase change material with an unmodified switching volume of phase change material such that the first memory cell has a first retention property and the second memory cell has a second retention property. The first retention property is different from the second retention property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. BrightSky, Roger W. Cheek, Ming-Hsiu Lee
  • Publication number: 20140112067
    Abstract: An apparatus has a support and a plurality of bendable and conductive microstructures extending from the support. Two adjacent microstructures of the plurality of microstructures define a detectable first state if they are not bent such that end portions thereof, which are distal with respect to the support, do not touch each other, and the two adjacent microstructures of the plurality of microstructures define a detectable second state if they are bent such that the end portions thereof, which are distal with respect to the support, touch each other and are fixed to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Marko Lemke, Stefan Tegen
  • Patent number: 8699268
    Abstract: Field effect devices having a drain controlled via a nanotube switching element. Under one embodiment, a field effect device includes a source region and a drain region of a first semiconductor type and a channel region disposed therebetween of a second semiconductor type. The source region is connected to a corresponding terminal. A gate structure is disposed over the channel region and connected to a corresponding terminal. A nanotube switching element is responsive to a first control terminal and a second control terminal and is electrically positioned in series between the drain region and a terminal corresponding to the drain region. The nanotube switching element is electromechanically operable to one of an open and closed state to thereby open or close an electrical communication path between the drain region and its corresponding terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nantero Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Thomas Rueckes, Brent M. Segal
  • Patent number: 8693242
    Abstract: A nanoelectromechanical device is provided. The nanoelectromechanical device includes a nanotube, a first contact, and a first actuator. The nanotube includes a first end, the first end supported by a first structure, a second end opposite the first end, and a first portion. The first actuator is configured to apply a first force to the nanotube, the first force causing the nanotube to buckle such that the first portion couples to the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Howard L. Davidson, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8664632
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a variable resistance film. The variable resistance film is connected between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a metal contained in a matrix made of a conductive material. A cohesive energy of the metal is lower than a cohesive energy of the conductive material. A concentration of the metal at a central portion of the first electrode in a width direction thereof is higher than concentrations of the metal in two end portions of the first electrode in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsushita, Shosuke Fujii, Yoshifumi Nishi, Akira Takashima, Takayuki Ishikawa, Hidenori Miyagawa, Takashi Haimoto, Yusuke Arayashiki, Hideki Inokuma
  • Patent number: 8649213
    Abstract: A phase change memory cell has more than one memory region each being a narrowed region of phase change memory material extending between first and second electrodes. Each of the plurality of memory regions can be programmed to be in a low resistance state or a high resistance state by applying suitable programming conditions of current and/or voltage. The resistances of the high resistance states and the programming conditions to convert the high resistance states to the low resistance state are different in each of the plurality of memory regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ludovic R. A. Goux, Thomas Gille, Judit G. Lisoni, Dirk J. C. C. M. Wouters
  • Patent number: 8644063
    Abstract: An electronic device manufacturing process includes depositing a bottom electrode layer. Then an electronic device is fabricated on the bottom electrode layer. Patterning of the bottom electrode layer is performed after fabricating the electronic device and in a separate process from patterning a top electrode. A first dielectric layer is then deposited on the electronic device and the bottom electrode layer followed by a top electrode layer. The top electrode is then patterned in a separate process from the bottom electrode. Separately patterning the top and bottom electrodes improves yields by reducing voids in the dielectric material between electronic devices. One electronic device the manufacturing process is well-suited for is magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xia Li, Seung H. Kang
  • Patent number: 8637845
    Abstract: Optimized electrodes for ReRAM memory cells and methods for forming the same are discloses. One aspect comprises forming a first electrode, forming a state change element in contact with the first electrode, treating the state change element, and forming a second electrode. Treating the state change element increases the barrier height at the interface between the second electrode and the state change element. Another aspect comprises forming a first electrode in a manner to deliberately establish a certain degree of amorphization in the first electrode, forming a state change element in contact with the first electrode. The degree of amorphization of the first electrode is either at least as great as the degree of amorphization of the state change element or no more than 5 percent less than the degree of amorphization of the state change element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Deepak C. Sekar, April Schricker, Xiying Chen, Klaus Schuegraf
  • Patent number: 8611129
    Abstract: An operation method of a semiconductor device, includes providing one or more memory elements each including a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, second and third semiconductor layers of a second conductivity type, which are disposed to be separated from each other in the first semiconductor layer, a first electrode electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer, and a second electrode electrically connected to the third semiconductor layer, and performing operation of writing information on a memory element to be driven of the one or more memory elements. The operation of writing is performed by forming a filament in a region between the second and third semiconductor layers, which is a conductive path electrically linking these semiconductor layers, through application of a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Kanematsu, Yuki Yanagisawa, Matsuo Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8605499
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a nanometer-scale cantilever beam with a gate electrode. An example system includes a drive circuit coupled to the gate electrode where a drive signal from the circuit may cause the beam to oscillate at or near the beam's resonance frequency. The drive signal includes an AC component, and may include a DC component as well. An alternative example system includes a nanometer-scale cantilever beam, where the beam oscillates to contact a plurality of drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Leland Chang, Michael A. Guillorn, Dechao Guo, Fei Liu, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
  • Patent number: 8599608
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes GCIB-treated resistive devices, devices utilizing GCIB-treated resistive devices (e.g., as switches, memory cells), and methods for forming the GCIB-treated resistive devices. One method of forming a GCIB-treated resistive device includes forming a lower electrode, and forming an oxide material on the lower electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) until a change in resistance of a first portion of the oxide material relative to the resistance of a second portion of the oxide material. An upper electrode is formed on the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, Jr., Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20130301336
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise apparatuses having at least two resistance change memory (RCM) cells. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes at least two electrical contacts coupled to each of the RCM cells. A memory cell material is disposed between pairs of each of the electrical contacts coupled to each of the RCM cells. The memory cell material is capable of forming a conductive pathway between the electrical contacts with at least a portion of the memory cell material arranged to cross-couple a conductive pathway between select ones of the at least two electrical contacts electrically coupled to each of the at least two RCM cells. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Sills
  • Patent number: 8498164
    Abstract: An integrated circuit can include at least one programmable metallization cell (PMC) comprising an ion conducting material and a metal dissolvable in the ion conducting material, selectively connected to a shunt node; and a biasing circuit comprising a current source coupled to the shunt node configurable to provide a first current in a first type operation, and a voltage regulator coupled to the shunt node configured to regulate a potential at the shunt node; wherein in the first type operation, the voltage regulator shunts current with respect to the shunt node in a same direction as a current flow of the at least one PMC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Adesto Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shane Charles Hollmer, Nad Edward Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8472239
    Abstract: Nanowire-based field-effect transistors (FETs) and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a FET is provided having a plurality of device layers oriented vertically in a stack, each device layer having a source region, a drain region and a plurality of nanowire channels connecting the source region and the drain region, wherein one or more of the device layers are configured to have a different threshold voltage from one or more other of the device layers; and a gate common to each of the device layers surrounding the nanowire channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine Chang, Paul Chang, Michael A. Guillorn, Jeffrey Sleight
  • Patent number: 8455965
    Abstract: An electronic device manufacturing process includes depositing a bottom electrode layer. Then an electronic device is fabricated on the bottom electrode layer. Patterning of the bottom electrode layer is performed after fabricating the electronic device and in a separate process from patterning a top electrode. A first dielectric layer is then deposited on the electronic device and the bottom electrode layer followed by a top electrode layer. The top electrode is then patterned in a separate process from the bottom electrode. Separately patterning the top and bottom electrodes improves yields by reducing voids in the dielectric material between electronic devices. One electronic device the manufacturing process is well-suited for is magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xia Li, Seung H. Kang
  • Patent number: 8440923
    Abstract: Devices and components that can interact with or modify propagation of electromagnetic waves are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the devices exploit the properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and reaction products thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8437173
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory element which can be initialized at low voltage includes a variable resistance layer (116) located between a lower electrode (105) and an upper electrode (107) and having a resistance value that reversibly changes based on electrical signals applied between these electrodes. The variable resistance layer (116) includes at least two layers: a first variable resistance layer (1161) including a first transition metal oxide (116b); and a second variable resistance layer (1162) including a second transition metal oxide (116a) and a third transition metal oxide (116c). The second transition metal oxide (116a) has an oxygen deficiency higher than either oxygen deficiency of the first transition metal oxide (116b) or the third transition metal oxide (116c), and the second transition metal oxide (116a) and the third transition metal oxide (116c) are in contact with the first variable resistance layer (1161).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Hayakawa, Takumi Mikawa, Yoshio Kawashima, Takeki Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 8422273
    Abstract: Nanowire-based field-effect transistors (FETs) and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a FET is provided having a plurality of device layers oriented vertically in a stack, each device layer having a source region, a drain region and a plurality of nanowire channels connecting the source region and the drain region, wherein one or more of the device layers are configured to have a different threshold voltage from one or more other of the device layers; and a gate common to each of the device layers surrounding the nanowire channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine Chang, Paul Chang, Michael A. Guillorn, Jeffrey Sleight
  • Patent number: 8391057
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell that includes a storage node, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the storage node stores an electrical charge, and the first electrode moves to connect to the storage node when the second electrode is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Sang Kim, Ji-Myoung Lee, Hyun-Jun Bae, Dong-Won Kim, Jun Seo, Yong-Hyun Kwon, Weon-Wi Jang, Keun-Hwi Cho
  • Patent number: 8385113
    Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical systems are disclosed that utilize vertically grown or placed nanometer-scale beams. The beams may be configured and arranged for use in a variety of applications, such as batteries, generators, transistors, switching assemblies, and sensors. In some generator applications, nanometer-scale beams may be fixed to a base and grown to a desired height. The beams may produce an electric potential as the beams vibrate, and may provide the electric potential to an electrical contact located at a suitable height above the base. In other embodiments, vertical beams may be grown or placed on side-by-side traces, and an electrical connection may be formed between the side-by-side traces when beams on separate traces vibrate and contact one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: CJP IP Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 8331138
    Abstract: A configuration bit array including a hybrid electromechanical and semiconductor memory cell, and circuitry for addressing and controlling read, write, and erase accesses of the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Agate Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Richard Trossen, Malcolm John Wing
  • Patent number: 8320174
    Abstract: An electromechanical switch is described, which comprises a conductive body and a plurality of carbon nanotubes being separate to each other, each of the carbon nanotubes being connected to at least one common terminal electrode with at least one of its ends, wherein in an open state of the switch each of the carbon nanotubes substantially projects along a surface of the conductive body and keeps up a gap to said surface, and wherein in a closed state of the switch at least one carbon nanotube is bend in a direction of the surface to close an electrical contact between said terminal electrode and the conductive body. The size of the gap between the respective carbon nanotube and the surface is different for each one of the plurality of carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Meinolf Blawat, Herbert Schuetze, Holger Kropp
  • Publication number: 20120268985
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a nanometer-scale cantilever beam with a gate electrode. An example system includes a drive circuit coupled to the gate electrode where a drive signal from the circuit may cause the beam to oscillate at or near the beam's resonance frequency. The drive signal includes an AC component, and may include a DC component as well. An alternative example system includes a nanometer-scale cantilever beam, where the beam oscillates to contact a plurality of drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Leland Chang, Michael A. Guillorn, Dechao Guo, Fei Liu, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
  • Patent number: 8274842
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include: access circuits that couple first electrodes of a plurality of programmable metallization cells (PMC) to access paths in parallel, each PMC comprising a solid ion conducting material formed between the first electrode and a second electrode; a plurality of write circuits, each coupled to a different access path, and each coupling the corresponding access path to a first voltage in response to input write data having a first value and to a second voltage in response to the input write data having a second value; and a node setting circuit that maintains second electrodes of the PMCs at a substantially constant third voltage while write circuits couple the access paths to the first or second voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Adesto Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shane Charles Hollmer, Nad Edward Gilbert, John Dinh
  • Patent number: 8238115
    Abstract: A computer motherboard includes a printed circuit board which includes a central processing unit (CPU) socket and a group of memory slots. The group of memory slots includes an in-line type memory slot and a surface mounted device (SMD) type memory slot. The in-line type memory slot includes a number of plated through holes. The SMD type memory slot is set between the in-line type memory slot and the CPU socket. The through holes of the in-line type memory slot are connected to the CPU socket through traces, pads of the SMD type memory slot are connected to corresponding through holes of the in-line type memory slot having the same pin definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Chieh Chen, Cheng-Hsien Lee, Shou-Kuo Hsu, Shen-Chun Li, Hsien-Chuan Liang, Shin-Ting Yen
  • Patent number: 8223539
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes GCIB-treated resistive devices, devices utilizing GCIB-treated resistive devices (e.g., as switches, memory cells), and methods for forming the GCIB-treated resistive devices. One method of forming a GCIB-treated resistive device includes forming a lower electrode, and forming an oxide material on the lower electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) until a change in resistance of a first portion of the oxide material relative to the resistance of a second portion of the oxide material. An upper electrode is formed on the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8203896
    Abstract: A memory chip and method for operating the same are provided. The memory chip includes a number of pads. The method includes inputting a number of first test signals to the pads respectively, wherein the first test signals corresponding to two physically-adjacent pads are complementary; inputting a number of second test signals, respectively successive to the first test signals, to the pads, wherein the first test signal and the second test signal corresponding to each of the pads are complementary; and outputting expected data from the memory chip if the first test signals and the second test signals are successfully received by the memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chuan-Ying Yu, Chun-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 8199555
    Abstract: A non-volatile logic circuit includes a control electrode, a ferroelectric layer disposed on the control electrode, a semiconductor layer disposed on the ferroelectric layer, a power electrode and an output electrode disposed on the semiconductor layer, and first to fourth input electrodes disposed on the semiconductor layer. The first and second input electrodes receive first and second inputs, respectively. The third and fourth input electrodes receive inversion signals of the second and first input signal, respectively. A resistance value of the semiconductor layer between the power electrode and the output electrode varies according to the first input signal and the second input signal so that an exclusive-OR signal of the first and second input signals is output from the output electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kaneko