Abstract: A sensing circuit of a phase change memory. The sensing circuit comprises a data current source and a reference current source, a storage memory device and a reference memory device, a storage switch and a reference switch, an auxiliary current source and a comparator. First terminals of the storage memory device and the reference memory device are respectively coupled to the data current source and the reference current source. The storage switch and the reference switch are respectively coupled to second terminals of the storage memory device and the reference memory device. The auxiliary current source is dynamically coupled to the first terminals of the storage memory device and the reference memory device. The comparator is coupled to the first terminals of the storage memory device and the reference memory device.

Abstract: A phase-change memory comprises a bottom electrode formed on a substrate. A first isolation layer is formed on the bottom electrode. A top electrode is formed on the isolation layer. A first phase-change material is formed in the first isolation layer, wherein the top electrode and the bottom electrode are electrically connected via the first phase-change material. Since the phase-change material can have a diameter less than the resolution limit of the photolithography process, an operating current for a state conversion of the phase-change material pattern may be reduced so as to decrease a power dissipation of the phase-change memory device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory is provided. Parallel-arranged isolation structures are disposed in a substrate and protrude from the surface of the substrate to define active regions. Mask layers intersecting the isolation structures are deposited on the substrate. The surface of the mask layers is higher than that of the isolation structures. Doped regions are formed in the substrate. Insulating layers are deposited on the substrate between the mask layers. The insulating layers and the mask layers have different etch selectivities. The mask layers are removed to expose the substrate. A tunneling dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. A floating gate is deposited on the substrate surrounded by the isolation structures and the insulating layers. The surface of the floating gate is lower than that of the isolation structures. An inter-gate dielectric layer is deposited on the substrate. A control gate is disposed between the insulating layers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a trench power transistor comprises the steps of forming a mask layer having a plurality of openings on a semiconductor substrate, removing a portion of the semiconductor substrate under the openings to form a plurality of trenches in the semiconductor substrate in an array manner, coating a photoresist layer covering the surface of the mask layer, patterning the photoresist layer, and removing a portion of the mask layer not covered by the photoresist layer to form a mask block exposing a portion of the semiconductor substrate in the array region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the DRAM includes first providing a substrate where patterned first mask layer and deep trenches exposed by the patterned first mask layer are formed. Deep trench capacitors are formed in the deep trenches and each of the deep trench capacitors includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a capacitor dielectric layer. A device isolation layer is formed in the first mask layer and the substrate for defining an active region. The first mask layer is removed for exposing the substrate, and a semiconductor layer is formed on the exposed substrate. The semiconductor layer and the substrate are patterned for forming trenches, and the bottom of the trench is adjacent to the upper electrodes of the trench capacitor. Gate structures filling into the trenches are formed on the substrate. A doped region is formed in the substrate adjacent to a side of the gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device has a gate structure, a source region, a drain region, and a pair of dielectric barrier layers. The gate structure is formed on a substrate. The source region and the drain region are formed in the substrate next to the gate structure, and a channel region is formed between the source region and the drain region underneath the gate structure. The pair of dielectric barrier layers is respectively formed in the substrate underneath the gate structure between the source region and the drain region. The dielectric barrier layers are used for reducing the drain induced barrier lowering effect in a nanometer scale device.

Abstract: Phase change memory devices and fabrication methods thereof. A phase change memory device includes an array of phase change memory cells. Each phase change memory cell includes a selecting transistor disposed on a substrate. An upright electrode structure is electrically connected to the selecting transistor. An upright phase change memory layer is stacked on the upright electrode structure with a contact area therebetween, wherein the contact area serves as the location where phase transition takes place.

Abstract: Phase change memory cell structures and methods for fabricating the same are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a phase change memory cell structure includes a first electrode formed over a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first electrode. A conductive member is formed through the second dielectric layer and electrically contacting the first electrode, wherein the conductive member comprises a lower element and an upper element sequentially stacking over the first electrode, and the lower and upper elements comprises different materials. A phase change material layer is formed over the second dielectric layer, electrically contacting the conductive member. A second electrode is formed over the phase change material layer.

Abstract: A gate structure comprising a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a cap layer and a first insulating spacer is provided. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate. The first conductive layer is disposed on the gate dielectric layer and has an opening. Part of the second conductive layer is disposed in the opening. The second conductive layer has an extrusion that protrudes above the opening of the first conductive layer. The extrusion has a cross-sectional width less than the width of the second conductive layer inside the opening. The cap layer is disposed on the extrusion. The first insulating spacer is disposed on part of the first conductive layer and covers the sidewalls of the extrusion. The inclusion of the extrusion in the second conductive layer decreases the resistance of the gate structure and promotes the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: A method for preparing a shallow trench isolation comprising the steps of forming at least one trench in a semiconductor substrate, performing an implanting process to implant nitrogen-containing dopants into an upper sidewall of the trench such that the concentration of the nitrogen-containing dopants in the upper sidewall is higher than that in the bottom sidewall of the trench, forming a spin-on dielectric layer filling the trench and covering the surface of the semiconductor substrate, performing a thermal oxidation process to form a silicon oxide layer covering the inner sidewall. Since the nitrogen-containing dopants can inhibit the oxidation rate and the concentration of the nitrogen-containing dopants in the upper inner sidewall is higher than that in the bottom inner sidewall of the trench, the thickness of the silicon oxide layer formed by the thermal oxidation process is larger at the bottom portion than at the upper portion of the trench.

Abstract: A phase change memory device comprising a substrate. A plurality of bottom electrodes isolated from each other is on the substrate. An insulating layer crosses a portion of the surfaces of any two of the adjacent bottom electrodes. A pair of phase change material spacers is on a pair of sidewalls of the insulating layer, wherein the pair of the phase change material spacers is on any two of the adjacent bottom electrodes, respectively. A top electrode is on the insulating layer and covers the phase change material spacers.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory structure having a vertical floating body cell includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of cylindrical pillars, an upper conductive region positioned on a top portion of the cylindrical pillar, a body positioned below the upper conductive portion in the cylindrical pillar, a bottom conductive portion positioned below the body in the cylindrical pillar, a gate oxide layer surrounding the sidewall of the cylindrical pillar and a gate structure surrounding the gate oxide layer. The upper conductive region serves as a drain electrode, the bottom conductive region serves as a source electrode and the body can store carriers such as holes. Preferably, the dynamic random access memory structure further comprises a conductive layer positioned on the surface of the semiconductor substrate to electrically connect the bottom conductive regions in the cylindrical pillars.

Abstract: A phase-change memory element for reducing heat loss is disclosed. The phase-change memory element comprises a composite layer, wherein the composite layer comprises a dielectric material and a low thermal conductivity material. A via hole is formed within the composite layer. A phase-change material occupies at least one portion of the via hole. The composite layer comprises alternating layers or a mixture of the dielectric material and the low thermal conductivity material.

Abstract: A method for preparing a shallow trench isolation comprising the steps of forming at least one trench in a semiconductor substrate, performing an implanting process to implant nitrogen-containing dopants into an upper sidewall of the trench such that the concentration of the nitrogen-containing dopants in the upper sidewall is higher than that in the bottom sidewall of the trench, forming a spin-on dielectric layer filling the trench and covering the surface of the semiconductor substrate, performing a thermal oxidation process to form a silicon oxide layer covering the inner sidewall. Since the nitrogen-containing dopants can inhibit the oxidation rate and the concentration of the nitrogen-containing dopants in the upper inner sidewall is higher than that in the bottom inner sidewall of the trench, the thickness of the silicon oxide layer formed by the thermal oxidation process is larger at the bottom portion than at the upper portion of the trench.

Abstract: A phase-change memory element. The phase-change memory comprises first and second electrodes. A phase-change material layer is formed between the first and second electrodes. And a carbon-doped oxide dielectric layer is formed to surround the phase-change material layer, wherein the first electrode electrically connects the second electrodes via the phase-change material layer.

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: Phase change memory devices and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a phase change memory device includes a bottom electrode formed over a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the bottom electrode. A heating electrode is formed in the first dielectric layer and partially protrudes over the first dielectric layer, wherein the heating electrode includes an intrinsic portion embedded within the first dielectric layer, a reduced portion stacked over the intrinsic portion, and an oxide spacer surrounding a sidewall of the reduced portion. A phase change material layer is formed over the first dielectric layer and covers the heating electrode, the phase change material layer contacts a top surface of the reduced portion of the heating electrode. A top electrode is formed over the phase change material layer and contacts the phase change material layer.

Abstract: A data collector control system for semiconductor manufacturing comprises a data collector and a automatic communication port switch control circuit. The control system is placed between an equipment and an equipment automation programming (EAP) system. The data collector processes and transmits communication messages between the equipment and the EAP system while the data collector operates normally. The communication messages between the equipment and the EAP system are transmitted through the control circuit instead of the data collector while the data collector operates abnormally.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure with a pulled-back conductive layer and the use of the method are provided. The method conducts a local, not global, pull-back process on the conductive layer of the gate structure at the position intended for contact window formation, wherein the pull-back process is conducted after rapid thermal oxidation to prevent CBCB short, CB open and/or CBGC short.

Abstract: Phase change memory devices and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a phase change memory device includes a first electrode disposed in a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and the first electrode. A phase change material layer disposed in the second dielectric layer to electrically contact the first electrode. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer. A second electrode is disposed in the third dielectric layer to electrically connect the phase change material layer and at least one gap disposed in the first dielectric layer or the second dielectric layer to thereby isolate portions of the phase change material layer and portions of the first or second dielectric layer adjacent thereto.