Having Selenium Or Tellurium Elemental Semiconductor Component Patents (Class 438/102)
  • Patent number: 8846442
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing semiconductor layers and coated substrates treated with elemental selenium and/or sulphur, in particular flat substrates, containing at least one conducting, semiconducting and/or insulating layer, in which a substrate which is provided with at least one metal layer and/or with at least one layer containing metal, in particular a stack of substrates, each of which is provided with at least one metal layer and/or with at least one layer which contains metal, is inserted into a processing chamber and heated to a predetermined substrate temperature; elementary selenium and/or sulphur vapor is guided past on the or on every metal layer and/or layer containing metal, from a source located inside and/or outside the processing chamber, in particular by means of a carrier gas which is in particular inert, under rough vacuum conditions or ambient pressure conditions or overpressure conditions, in order to react chemically with said layer with selenium or sulphur in a tar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Volker Probst
  • Patent number: 8847189
    Abstract: A memory storage device including: a lower electrode formed to be separated for each of memory cells; a memory storage layer formed on the lower electrode and capable of recording information according to a change in resistance; and an upper electrode formed on the memory storage layer, wherein the memory storage device includes a first layer formed of metal or metal silicide and a second layer formed on the first layer and formed of a metal nitride, the lower electrode is formed by lamination of the first layer and the second layer and formed such that only the first layer is in contact with a lower layer and only the second layer is in contact with the memory storage layer, which is an upper layer, the memory storage layer is formed in common to plural memory cells, and the upper electrode is formed in common to the plural memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 8835890
    Abstract: Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells and methods of fabricating thereof. A ReRAM cell includes an embedded resistor and a resistive switching layer connected in series with this resistor. The resistor is configured to prevent over-programming of the cell by limiting electrical currents through the resistive switching layer. Unlike the resistive switching layer, which changes its resistance in order to store data, the embedded resistor maintains a substantially constant resistance during operation of the cell. The embedded resistor is formed from tantalum nitride and silicon nitride. The atomic ratio of tantalum and silicon may be specifically selected to yield resistors with desired densities and resistivities as well as ability to remain amorphous when subjected to various annealing conditions. The embedded resistor may also function as a diffusion barrier layer and prevent migration of components between one of the electrodes and the resistive switching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Lan Hsueh, Randall J. Higuchi, Mihir Tendulkar
  • Patent number: 8828785
    Abstract: Techniques for producing a single-crystal phase change material and the incorporation of those techniques in an electronic device fabrication process flow are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating an electronic device is provided which includes the following steps. A single-crystal phase change material is formed on a first substrate. At least one first electrode in contact with a first side of the single-crystal phase change material is formed. The single-crystal phase change material and the at least one first electrode in contact with the first side of the single-crystal phase change material form a transfer structure on the first substrate. The transfer structure is transferred to a second substrate. At least one second electrode in contact with a second side of the single-crystal phase change material is formed. A single-crystal phase change material-containing structure and electronic device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Cohen, Simone Raoux
  • Publication number: 20140242748
    Abstract: Methods of forming a material include exposing a substrate to a first germanium-containing compound and a second, different germanium-containing compound; exposing the substrate to a first antimony-containing compound and a second, different antimony-containing compound; and exposing the substrate to a first tellurium-containing compound and a second, different tellurium-containing compound. Methods of forming chalcogenide materials include exposing a substrate to a first precursor comprising a reactive precursor of a first metal and a co-reactive precursor of the first metal, the reactive precursor and the co-reactive precursor each having at least one ligand coordinated to an atom of the first metal, wherein the at least one ligand of the co-reactive precursor is different from the at least one ligand of the reactive precursor. The substrate is also exposed to a reactive antimony precursor and a co-reactive antimony precursor and to a reactive tellurium precursor and a co-reactive tellurium precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8816314
    Abstract: A memory element can include an opening formed within at least one insulating layer formed on an etch stop layer that exposes a first electrode portion and the etch stop layer at a bottom of the opening; a second electrode portion, formed on at least a side surface of the opening and in contact with the first electrode portion, the second electrode portion not filling the opening and being substantially not formed over a top surface of the at least one insulating layer; and at least one memory layer formed on a top surface of the at least one insulating layer and in contact with the second electrode portion, the at least one memory layer being reversibly programmable between at least two impedance states. Methods of forming such memory elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Adesto Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Chakravarthy Gopalan
  • Patent number: 8816315
    Abstract: A memory cell is provided that includes a reversible resistance-switching element above a substrate. The reversible resistance-switching element includes an etched material layer that includes an oxidized layer of the etched material layer above a non-oxidized layer of the etched material layer. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: April D. Schricker, Brad Herner, Mark H. Clark
  • Patent number: 8809113
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a solution-processed metal and mixed-metal selenide semiconductor using selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs). The method forms a first solution including SeNPs dispersed in a solvent. Added to the first solution is a second solution including a first material set of metal salts, metal complexes, or combinations thereof, which are dissolved in a solvent, forming a third solution. The third solution is deposited on a conductive substrate, forming a first intermediate film comprising metal precursors, from corresponding members of the first material set, and embedded SeNPs. As a result of thermally annealing, the metal precursors are transformed and the first intermediate film is selenized, forming a first metal selenide-containing semiconductor. In one aspect, the first solution further comprises ligands for the stabilization of SeNPs, which are liberated during thermal annealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Vail, Alexey Koposov, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 8809114
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell is provided that includes forming a steering element above a substrate, forming a material layer on the substrate, patterning and etching the material layer, and oxidizing the patterned and etched material layer to form a reversible resistance-switching material. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: April D. Schricker, S. Brad Herner, Mark H. Clark
  • Patent number: 8809105
    Abstract: A method for processing a semiconductor assembly is presented. The method includes thermally processing a semiconductor assembly in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a pressure greater than about 10 Torr. The semiconductor assembly includes a semiconductor layer disposed on a support, and the semiconductor layer includes cadmium and sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbo Cao, Bastiaan Arie Korevaar
  • Publication number: 20140220733
    Abstract: Antimony, germanium and tellurium precursors useful for CVD/ALD of corresponding metal-containing thin films are described, along with compositions including such precursors, methods of making such precursors, and films and microelectronic device products manufactured using such precursors, as well as corresponding manufacturing methods. The precursors of the invention are useful for forming germanium-antimony-tellurium (GST) films and microelectronic device products, such as phase change memory devices, including such films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: William Hunks, Tianniu Chen, Chongying Xu, Jeffrey F. Roeder, Thomas H. Baum, Matthias Stender, Philip S.H. Chen, Gregory T. Stauf, Bryan C. Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20140217351
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. Programmable material may be formed directly adjacent another material. A dopant implant may be utilized to improve adherence of the programmable material to the other material by inducing bonding of the programmable material to the other material, and/or by scattering the programmable material and the other material across an interface between them. The memory cells may include first electrode material, first ovonic material, second electrode material, second ovonic material and third electrode material. The various electrode materials and ovonic materials may join to one another at boundary bands having ovonic materials embedded in electrode materials and vice versa; and having damage-producing implant species embedded therein. Some embodiments include ovonic material joining dielectric material along a boundary band, with the boundary band having ovonic material embedded in dielectric material and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Camillo Bresolin, Valter Soncini, Davide Erbetta
  • Patent number: 8796101
    Abstract: A phase-change memory device includes a first insulator having a hole therethrough, a first electrode that conforms at least partially to the hole, a phase-change material in electrical communication with the first electrode, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the phase-change material. When current is passed from the first electrode to the second electrode through the phase-change material, at least one of the first and second electrodes remains unreactive with the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ovonyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolodymyr Czubatyj, Regino Sandoval
  • Patent number: 8796068
    Abstract: Precursors for use in depositing tellurium-containing films on substrates such as wafers or other microelectronic device substrates, as well as associated processes of making and using such precursors, and source packages of such precursors. The precursors are useful for deposition of Ge2Sb2Te5 chalcogenide thin films in the manufacture of nonvolatile Phase Change Memory (PCM), by deposition techniques such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Stender, Chongying Xu, Tianniu Chen, William Hunks, Philip S. H. Chen, Jeffrey F. Roeder, Thomas H. Baum
  • Patent number: 8791443
    Abstract: A high density variable resistive random access memory device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The device includes first word lines, each separated from each other by a width of first word line; bit lines, each separated from each other by a width of bit line; and second word lines, each located between two adjacent first word lines, wherein the widths of first word line and the bit line are substantially same, and the bit lines are located over the first and second word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam Kyun Park
  • Publication number: 20140206136
    Abstract: Precursors for use in depositing antimony-containing films on substrates such as wafers or other microelectronic device substrates, as well as associated processes of making and using such precursors, and source packages of such precursors. The precursors are useful for deposition of Ge2Sb2Te5 chalcogenide thin films in the manufacture of nonvolatile Phase Change Memory (PCM) or for the manufacturing of thermoelectric devices, by deposition techniques such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Tianniu Chen, William Hunks, Philip S.H. Chen, Chongying Xu, Leah Maylott
  • Patent number: 8785237
    Abstract: A method of forming a variable resistance memory device includes forming an opening in an insulating layer, and forming a variable resistance layer by filling the opening with an antimony rich antimony-tellurium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Hyun Im, Hyeonggeun An, Sunglae Choi, Ik Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8785238
    Abstract: The method includes: forming a lower electrode layer above a substrate; forming a variable resistance layer on the lower electrode layer; forming an upper electrode layer on the variable resistance layer; forming a hard mask layer on the upper electrode layer; forming a photoresist mask on the hard mask layer; forming a hard mask by performing etching on the hard mask layer using the photoresist mask; and forming a nonvolatile memory element by performing etching on the upper electrode layer, the variable resistance layer, and the lower electrode layer, using the hard mask. In the forming of a photoresist mask, the photoresist mask is formed to have corner portions which recede toward the center portion in planar view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Kawashima, Takumi Mikawa
  • Patent number: 8785239
    Abstract: A method of depositing an antimony-comprising phase change material onto a substrate includes providing a reducing agent and vaporized Sb(OR)3 to a substrate, where R is alkyl, and forming there-from antimony-comprising phase change material on the substrate. The phase change material has no greater than 10 atomic percent oxygen, and includes another metal in addition to antimony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Quick, Eugene P. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8779572
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) stacked chip structure with chips having on-chip heat spreader and method of forming are described. A 3D stacked chip structure comprises a first die having a first substrate with a dielectric layer formed on a front surface. One or more bonding pads and a heat spreader may be simultaneously formed in the dielectric layer. The first die is bonded with corresponding bond pads on a surface of a second die to form a stacked chip structure. Heat generated in the stacked chip structure may be diffused to the edges of the stacked chip structure through the heat spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuan-Yi Lin, Ching-Chen Hao, Chen Cheng Chou, Sheng-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 8778728
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing non-volatile memory devices may include separating first phase-change material groups and second phase-change material groups, which have different sizes, from a target including phase-change materials and faulting a phase-change material layer on an object by using the first phase-change material groups and the second phase-change material groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung-deog Choi, Dong-ho Ahn, Man-sug Kang, Young-kuk Kim, Jin-ho Oh
  • Patent number: 8772077
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of forming a chalcogenide thin film for a phase-change memory. In the method of forming a chalcogenide thin film according to the present invention, a substrate with a pattern formed is loaded into a reactor, and a source gas is supplied onto the substrate. Here, the source gas includes at least one source gas selected from germanium (Ge) source gas, gallium (Ga) source gas, indium (In) source gas, selenium (Se) source gas, antimony (Sb) source gas, tellurium (Te) source gas, tin (Sn) source gas, silver (Ag) source gas, and sulfur (S) source gas. A first purge gas is supplied onto the substrate in order to purge the source gas supplied onto the substrate, a reaction gas for reducing the source gas is then supplied onto the substrate, and a second purge gas is supplied onto the substrate in order to purge the reaction gas supplied onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: IPS Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Hoon Lee, Jung-Wook Lee, Dong-Ho You
  • Patent number: 8772122
    Abstract: Programmable metallization memory cells having an active electrode, an opposing inert electrode and a variable resistive element separating the active electrode from the inert electrode. The variable resistive element includes a plurality of alternating solid electrolyte layers and electrically conductive layers. The electrically conductive layers electrically couple the active electrode to the inert electrode in a programmable metallization memory cell. Methods to form the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Nurul Amin, Insik Jin, Wei Tian, Andrew James Wirebaugh, Venugopalan Vaithyanathan, Ming Sun
  • Publication number: 20140186995
    Abstract: A method for forming TFPV absorber layer. A first layer including In is formed on a substrate. The first layer is partially or fully selenized to form a layer that includes InxSey. A second layer is formed on the partially or fully selenized first layer. The second layer may include multiple layers of Cu and Cu—Ga or may be a single layer of Cu—Ga. The Cu—Ga layers can be deposited from sputtering targets wherein the Ga concentration in one or more target(s) is between about 25 atomic % and about 66 atomic %. The deposition may be performed in a batch or in-line deposition system. The first and second layers are then fully selenized to form a CIGS layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR INC.
    Inventor: Haifan Liang
  • Patent number: 8766234
    Abstract: Selector devices that can be suitable for memory device applications can have low leakage currents at low voltages to reduce sneak current paths for non selected devices, and high leakage currents at high voltages to minimize voltage drops during device switching. In some embodiments, the selector device can include a first electrode, a tri-layer dielectric layer, and a second electrode. The tri-layer dielectric layer can include a high leakage dielectric layer sandwiched between two lower leakage dielectric layers. The low leakage layers can function to restrict the current flow across the selector device at low voltages. The high leakage dielectric layer can function to enhance the current flow across the selector device at high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Hashim, Venkat Ananthan, Tony P. Chiang, Prashant B. Phatak
  • Patent number: 8765521
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a variable resistance memory device include an ohmic pattern on a substrate; a first electrode pattern including a first portion that has a plate shape and contacts a top surface of the ohmic pattern and a second portion that extends from one end of the first portion to a top; a variable resistance pattern electrically connected to the first electrode pattern; and a second electrode pattern electrically connected to the variable resistance pattern, wherein one end of the ohmic pattern and the other end of the first portion are disposed on the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung Jin Kang, Youngnam Hwang
  • Patent number: 8765519
    Abstract: A method of forming a phase change material which having germanium and tellurium therein includes depositing a germanium-containing material over a substrate. Such material includes elemental-form germanium. A gaseous tellurium-comprising precursor is flowed to the germanium-comprising material and tellurium is removed from the gaseous precursor to react with the elemental-form germanium in the germanium-comprising material to form a germanium and tellurium-comprising compound of a phase change material over the substrate. Other implementations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene P. Marsh, Timothy A. Quick, Stefan Uhlenbrock
  • Patent number: 8765581
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a self-aligned cross-point phase change memory-switch array and methods of fabricating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 8765223
    Abstract: This invention discloses the synthesis of metal chalcogenides using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, or wet solution process. Ligand exchange reactions of organosilyltellurium or organosilylselenium with a series of metal compounds having neucleophilic substituents generate metal chalcogenides. This chemistry is used to deposit germanium-antimony-tellurium (GeSbTe) and germanium-antimony-selenium (GeSbSe) films or other tellurium and selenium based metal compounds for phase change memory and photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Manchao Xiao, Liu Yang
  • Patent number: 8759146
    Abstract: A method of forming a material comprises conducting an ALD layer cycle of a first metal, the ALD layer cycle comprising a reactive first metal precursor and a co-reactive first metal precursor. An ALD layer cycle of a second metal is conducted, the ALD layer cycle comprising a reactive second metal precursor and a co-reactive second metal precursor. An ALD layer cycle of a third metal is conducted, the ALD layer cycle comprising a reactive third metal precursor and a co-reactive third metal precursor. The ALD layer cycles of the first metal, the second metal, and the third metal are repeated to form a material, such as a GeSbTe material, having a desired stoichiometry. Additional methods of forming a material, such as a GeSbTe material, are disclosed, as is a method of forming a semiconductor device structure including a GeSbTe material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8753919
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Murali Balakrishnan, Alessandro Torsi, Noel Rocklein
  • Publication number: 20140162401
    Abstract: A Ge—Sb—Te film forming method includes a Sb source material introducing process, a first purging process, a Te source material introducing process, a second purging process, a Ge source material introducing process, a third purging process. An additive gas containing at least one of ammonia, methylamine, dimethylamine, hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine, dimethylhydrazine and pyridine is introduced in at least one of the Sb, Te and Ge source material introducing processes and the first to third purging processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yumiko Kawano, Susumu Arima
  • Publication number: 20140162400
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming an alkali metal-doped solution-processed metal chalcogenide. A first solution is formed that includes a first material group of metal salts, metal complexes, or combinations thereof, dissolved in a solvent. The first material group may include one or more of the following elements: copper (Cu), indium (In), and gallium (Ga). An alkali metal-containing material is added to the first solution, and the first solution is deposited on a conductive substrate. The alkali metal-containing material may be sodium (Na). An alkali metal-doped first intermediate film results, comprising metal precursors from corresponding members of the first material group. Then, thermally annealing is performed in an environment of selenium (Se), Se and hydrogen (H2), hydrogen selenide (H2Se), sulfur (S), S and H2, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), or combinations thereof. The metal precursors in the alkali metal-doped first intermediate film are transformed, and an alkali metal-doped chalcogenide layer is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Sean Vail, Gary Foley, Alexey Koposov
  • Patent number: 8748214
    Abstract: A method of p-type doping cadmium telluride (CdTe) is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of, (a) providing a first component comprising cadmium telluride (CdTe) comprising an interfacial region, and (b) subjecting the CdTe to a functionalizing treatment to obtain p-type doped CdTe, said functionalizing treatment comprising a thermal treatment of at least a portion of the interfacial region in the presence of a first material comprising a p-type dopant, and of a second material comprising a halogen. A method of making a photovoltaic cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: John Anthony DeLuca, Scott Feldman-Peabody
  • Patent number: 8742389
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a variable resistance memory device may include memory cells, in which contact areas between word lines and a variable resistance layer are almost constant. The variable resistance memory device may include a vertical electrode on a substrate, horizontal electrode layers and insulating layers sequentially and alternately stacked on the substrate. The horizontal electrode layers and the insulating layers may be adjacent to the vertical electrode. The variable resistance layer may be between the vertical electrode the horizontal electrode layers. A thickness of one of the horizontal electrode layers adjacent to the substrate may be thickness than a thickness of an other of the horizontal electrode layers that is spaced apart from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seok-won Lee
  • Publication number: 20140147965
    Abstract: A phase change memory may be formed of two vertically spaced layers of phase change material. An intervening dielectric may space the layers from one another along a substantial portion of their lateral extent. An opening may be provided in the intervening dielectric to allow the phase change layers to approach one another more closely. As a result, current density may be increased at this location, producing heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy C. Wicker, Fabio Pellizzer, Enrico Varesi, Agostino Pirovano
  • Patent number: 8735215
    Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method including forming a bottom electrode and an insulating layer on a substrate, the insulating layer defining a first opening that exposes a portion of the bottom electrode. The method includes forming a variable resistance material pattern, including a plurality of elements, to fill the first opening. The variable resistance material pattern may be doped with a dopant that includes at least one of the plurality of elements in the variable resistance material pattern. The method includes forming a top electrode on the variable resistance material pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Hee Park, Man-Sug Kang, Hideki Horii, Hyo-Jung Kim, Jung-Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 8735216
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods for fabricating memory cell constructions. A memory cell may be formed to have a programmable material directly against a material having a different coefficient of expansion than the programmable material. A retaining shell may be formed adjacent the programmable material. The memory cell may be thermally processed to increase a temperature of the memory cell to at least about 300° C., causing thermally-induced stress within the memory cell. The retaining shell may provide a stress which substantially balances the thermally-induced stress. Some embodiments include memory cell constructions. The constructions may include programmable material directly against silicon nitride that has an internal stress of less than or equal to about 200 megapascals. The constructions may also include a retaining shell silicon nitride that has an internal stress of at least about 500 megapascals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Jian Li
  • Patent number: 8735217
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory element is disclosed comprising a first electrode, a near-stoichiometric metal oxide memory layer having bistable resistance, and a second electrode in contact with the near-stoichiometric metal oxide memory layer. At least one electrode is a resistive electrode comprising a sub-stoichiometric transition metal nitride or oxynitride, and has a resistivity between 0.1 and 10 ?cm. The resistive electrode provides the functionality of an embedded current-limiting resistor and also serves as a source and sink of oxygen vacancies for setting and resetting the resistance state of the metal oxide layer. Novel fabrication methods for the second electrode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Hieu Pham, Vidyut Gopal, Imran Hashim, Tim Minvielle, Dipankar Pramanik, Yun Wang, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Hong Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8735214
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing group IB-IIIA-VIA quaternary or higher alloy semiconductor films wherein the method comprises the steps of (i) providing a metal film comprising a mixture of group IB and group IIIA metals; (ii) heat treating the metal film in the presence of a source of a first group VIA element (said first group VIA element hereinafter being referred to as VIA1) under conditions to form a first film comprising a mixture of at least one binary alloy selected from the group consisting of a group IB-VIA1 alloy and a group IIIA-VIA1 alloy and at least one group IB-IIIA-VIA1 ternary alloy (iii) optionally heat treating the first film in the presence of a source of a second group VIA element (said second group VI element hereinafter being referred to as VIA2) under conditions to convert the first film into a second film comprising at least one alloy selected from the group consisting of a group IB-VIA1-VIA2 alloy and a group IIIA-VIA1-VIA2 alloy; and the at least one group IB-III-V
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: University of Johannesburg
    Inventor: Vivian Alberts
  • Patent number: 8735864
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has an improved device switching performance and lifetime, due to the addition of a current limiting component disposed therein. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises a resistive material that is configured to improve the switching performance and lifetime of the resistive switching memory element. The electrical properties of the current limiting layer are configured to lower the current flow through the variable resistance layer during the logic state programming steps (i.e., “set” and “reset” steps) by adding a fixed series resistance in the resistive switching memory element found in the nonvolatile memory device. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises a tunnel nitride that is a current limiting material that is disposed within a resistive switching memory element in a nonvolatile resistive switching memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Mihir Tendulkar, Tim Minvielle, Yun Wang, Takeshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8728859
    Abstract: An example embodiment disclosed is a method for fabricating a phase change memory cell. The method includes forming a non-sublithographic via within an insulating substrate. The insulating substrate is embedded on the same layer as a first metalization layer (Metal 1) of a semiconductor wafer, and includes a bottom and a sidewall. A sublithographic aperture is formed through the bottom of the non-sublithographic via and extends to a buried conductive material. The sublithographic aperture is filled with a conductive non-phase change material. Furthermore, phase change material is deposited within the non-sublithographic via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Breitwisch, Eric A. Joseph, Chung H. Lam, Hsiang-Lan Lung
  • Patent number: 8729519
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory constructions having a plurality of bands between top and bottom electrically conductive materials. The bands include chalcogenide bands alternating with non-chalcogenide bands. In some embodiments, there may be least two of the chalcogenide bands and at least one of the non-chalcogenide bands. In some embodiments, the memory cells may be between a pair of electrodes; with one of the electrodes being configured as a lance, angled plate, container or beam. In some embodiments, the memory cells may be electrically coupled with select devices, such as, for example, diodes, field effect transistors or bipolar junction transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Redaelli, Agostino Pirovano
  • Patent number: 8728855
    Abstract: A method for processing a semiconductor assembly is presented. The method includes: (a) contacting at least a portion of a semiconductor assembly with a chalcogen source, wherein the semiconductor assembly comprises a semiconductor layer comprising a semiconductor material disposed on a support; (b) introducing a chalcogen from the chalcogen source into at least a portion of the semiconductor material; and (c) disposing a window layer on the semiconductor layer after the step (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Faisal Razi Ahmad
  • Patent number: 8729522
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory constructions having a film of phase change material between first and second materials; with the entirety of film having a thickness of less than or equal to about 10 nanometers. The memory constructions are configured to transit from one memory state having a first phase of the phase change material to a second memory state having a second phase of the phase change material, and are configured so that an entirety of the phase change material film changes from the first phase to the second phase in transitioning from the first memory state to the second memory state. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second materials may be carbon, W, TiN, TaN or TiAlN. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second materials may be part of a structure having bands of two or more different compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Redaelli
  • Publication number: 20140134791
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a solution-processed metal and mixed-metal selenide semiconductor using selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs). The method forms a first solution including SeNPs dispersed in a solvent. Added to the first solution is a second solution including a first material set of metal salts, metal complexes, or combinations thereof, which are dissolved in a solvent, forming a third solution. The third solution is deposited on a conductive substrate, forming a first intermediate film comprising metal precursors, from corresponding members of the first material set, and embedded SeNPs. As a result of thermally annealing, the metal precursors are transformed and the first intermediate film is selenized, forming a first metal selenide-containing semiconductor. In one aspect, the first solution further comprises ligands for the stabilization of SeNPs, which are liberated during thermal annealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Sean Andrew VAIL, Alexey KOPOSOV, Jong-Jan LEE
  • Publication number: 20140134792
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating a solution-processed metal and mixed-metal selenide semiconductor using a selenium (Se) film layer. One aspect provides a conductive substrate and deposits a first Se film layer over the conductive substrate. A first solution, including a first material set of metal salts, metal complexes, or combinations thereof, is dissolved in a solvent and deposited on the first Se film layer. A first intermediate film comprising metal precursors is formed from corresponding members of the first material set. In one aspect, a plurality of intermediate films is formed using metal precursors from the first material set or a different material set. In another aspect, a second Se film layer is formed overlying the intermediate film(s). Thermal annealing is performed in an environment including hydrogen (H2), hydrogen selenide (H2Se), or Se/H2. The metal precursors are transformed in the intermediate film(s), and a metal selenide-containing semiconductor is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Vail, Alexey Koposov, Wei Pan, Gary D. Foley, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 8722455
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a phase change memory structure having low-k dielectric heat-insulating material and fabrication method thereof, wherein the phase change memory cell comprises diode, heating electrode, reversible phase change resistor, top electrode and etc; the heating electrode and reversible phase change resistor are surrounded by low-k dielectric heat-insulating layer; an anti-diffusion dielectric layer is designed between the reversible phase change resistor and the low-k dielectric heat-insulating layer surrounding thereof. The present invention utilizes low-k dielectric material as heat-insulating material, thereby avoiding thermal crosstalk and mutual influence during operation between phase change memory cells, enhancing the reliability of devices, and eliminating the influence of temperature, pressure and etc. on phase change random access memory (PCRAM) data retention during the change from amorphous to polycrystalline states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Zhitang Song, Liangcai Wu, Songlin Feng
  • Patent number: 8716690
    Abstract: A variable resistor, a nonvolatile memory device and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The variable resistor includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a variable resistive layer including CdS nanoscale particles provided between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and an initial metal atom diffusion layer within the variable resistive layer. The variable resistor is a bipolar switching element and configured to be in a reset state when a positive voltage relative to a cathode electrode is applied to the anode electrode, and configured to be in a set state when a negative voltage relative to the cathode electrode is applied to the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: SK Hynic Inc., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Woong Kim, Yong chan Ju, Seungwook Kim
  • Patent number: 8716059
    Abstract: Memory arrays and methods of forming the same are provided. One example method of forming a memory array can include forming a conductive material in a number of vias and on a substrate structure, the conductive material to serve as a number of conductive lines of the array and coupling the number of conductive lines to the array circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Somaschini, Fabio Pellizzer, Carmela Cupeta, Nicola Nastasi