Patents Examined by Jami Valentine Miller
  • Patent number: 11430942
    Abstract: A multilayer free magnetic layer structure for spin-based magnetic memory is provided herein. The multilayer free magnetic structure is employed in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and includes antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic layers. In some cases, the antiferromagnetic coupling is mediated by RKKY interaction with a Ru, Ir, Mo, Cu, or Rh spacer layer. In some cases, low damping magnetic materials, such as CoFeB, FeB, or CoFeBMo are used for the antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic layers. By employing the multilayer free magnetic structure for the MTJ as variously described herein, the critical or switching current can be significantly reduced compared to, for example, an MTJ employing a single-layer free magnetic layer. Thus, higher device efficiencies can be achieved. In some cases, the magnetic layers of the multilayer free magnetic structure are perpendicular magnets, which can be employed, for example, in perpendicular spin-orbit torque (pSOT) memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kaan Oguz, Tanay Gosavi, Sasikanth Manipatruni, Chia-Ching Lin, Gary Allen
  • Patent number: 11430869
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming a superlattice on a substrate comprising a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers including a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. Moreover, forming at least one of the base semiconductor portions may include overgrowing the at least one base semiconductor portion and etching back the overgrown at least one base semiconductor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keith Doran Weeks, Nyles Wynn Cody, Marek Hytha, Robert J. Mears, Robert John Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11424403
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an MRAM device, the method including forming a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) stack comprising a first hard mask, forming sidewall spacers adjacent to the MRAM stack, forming a layer of interconnect metal around and above the MRAM stack, recessing the interconnect metal, forming a layer of a second hard mask over the interconnect metal, and patterning and etching the second hard mask and interconnect metal, forming interconnect metal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Bruce B. Doris, Michael Rizzolo, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 11422209
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods that provide improved tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) through the use of innovative device structures and heterostructure layers therein. Particularly, two or more magnetic layers form a heterostructure core of the switching device, with control of current passing through the heterostructure determined by an applied magnetic field that modifies the magnetization of the heterostructure from a ground magnetic state that is layered antiferromagnetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Xiaodong Xu, Tiancheng Song, Xinghan Cai
  • Patent number: 11410021
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for implementing a recurrent neuron (RN) using magneto-electric spin orbit (MESO) logic. An RN implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a first MESO device to apply a threshold function to an input signal provided at a magnetization port of the MESO device, and scale the result by a first weighting factor supplied at an input port of the MESO device to generate an RN output signal. The RN further includes a second MESO device to receive the RN output signal at a magnetization port of the second MESO device and generate a scaled previous RN state value. The scaled previous state value is a scaled and time delayed version of the RN output signal based on a second weighting factor. The RN input signal is a summation of the scaled previous state value of the RN with weighted synaptic input signals provided to the RN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sasikanth Manipatruni, Dmitri Nikonov, Ian Young
  • Patent number: 11404481
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises first wiring lines, second wiring lines, and first variable resistance elements. The first wiring lines are arranged in a first direction and have as their longitudinal direction a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second wiring lines are arranged in the second direction and have the first direction as their longitudinal direction. The first variable resistance elements are respectively provided at intersections of the first wiring lines and the second wiring lines. In addition, this semiconductor memory device comprises a first contact extending in a third direction that intersects the first direction and second direction and having one end thereof connected to the second wiring line. The other end and a surface intersecting the first direction of this first contact are covered by a first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Konno
  • Patent number: 11404480
    Abstract: A device includes a first plurality of conductive strips have lengthwise directions in a first direction, a selector array overlapping the first plurality of conductive strips, an electrode array overlapping the selector array, a plurality of memory strips over the electrode array, and a second plurality of conductive strips overlapping the plurality of memory strips. The plurality of memory strips and the second plurality of conductive strips have lengthwise directions in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Lin, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kao-Chao Lin, Chang-Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 11391794
    Abstract: A spin-orbit-torque magnetization rotational element includes: a spin-orbit-torque wiring; and a laminated body laminated on the spin-orbit-torque wiring, wherein the laminated body includes a first ferromagnetic layer, an oxide containing layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer in order from the spin-orbit-torque wiring, wherein the oxide containing layer contains an oxide of a non-magnetic element, and wherein the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer are ferromagnetically coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yohei Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 11387406
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a bottom electrode layer over the first IMD layer; forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) film stack over the bottom electrode layer; forming a first top electrode layer over the MTJ film stack; forming a protective mask covering a first region of the first top electrode layer, a second region of the first top electrode layer being uncovered by the protective mask; forming a second top electrode layer over the protective mask and the first top electrode layer; and patterning the second top electrode layer, the first top electrode layer, the MTJ film stack, the bottom electrode layer, and the first IMD layer with an ion beam etching (IBE) process to form a MRAM cell, where the protective mask is etched during the IBE process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-Yen Peng, Hui-Hsien Wei, Han-Ting Lin, Sin-Yi Yang, Yu-Shu Chen, An-Shen Chang, Qiang Fu, Chen-Jung Wang
  • Patent number: 11386320
    Abstract: A magnetic double tunnel junction (MDTJ) (which, preferably, has a large aspect ratio, wherein length L of the MDTJ>>width w of the MDTJ) has magnetic domain wall(s) or DW(s) in the free layer of the MDTJ, wherein controlled movement of the DW(s) across the free layer is effected in response to the polarity, magnitude, and duration of a voltage pulse across the MDTJ. The motion and relative position of DW(s) causes the conductance of the MDTJ (that is measured across the MDTJ) to change in a symmetric and linear fashion. By reversing the polarity of the bias voltage, the creation and/or direction of the DW(s) motion can be reversed, thereby allowing for a bi-directional response to the input pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aakash Pushp, Pritish Narayanan
  • Patent number: 11387277
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward carbon based diodes, carbon based resistive change memory elements, resistive change memory having resistive change memory elements and carbon based diodes, methods of making carbon based diodes, methods of making resistive change memory elements having carbon based diodes, and methods of making resistive change memory having resistive change memory elements having carbons based diodes. The carbon based diodes can be any suitable type of diode that can be formed using carbon allotropes, such as semiconducting single wall carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNT), semiconducting Buckminsterfullerenes (such as C60 Buckyballs), or semiconducting graphitic layers (layered graphene). The carbon based diodes can be pn junction diodes, Schottky diodes, other any other type of diode formed using a carbon allotrope. The carbon based diodes can be placed at any level of integration in a three dimensional (3D) electronic device such as integrated with components or wiring layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Thomas Rueckes, X. M. Henry Huang, C. Rinn Cleavelin
  • Patent number: 11371951
    Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a set of one or more sensor cells (SC) and a substrate (1). Each sensor cell (SC) of the set comprises a sensitive film (42) built from a sensitive material (4) covering an area of the substrate (1). One or more elevated structures (2) are manufactured in or around said area for preventing the sensitive material (4) to expand when being applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Felix Mayer, Markus Graf, Lukas Burgi, Martina Hitzbleck, Ulrich Muecke
  • Patent number: 11374167
    Abstract: An embedded magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) device including a portion of a metal wiring layer above a semiconductor device and a bottom electrode over the portion of the metal wiring layer. The embedded MRAM where the bottom electrode connects to a first portion of a bottom surface of a magnetoresistive random access memory pillar and a sidewall spacer is on the magnetoresistive random access memory pillar. The embedded MRAM device includes a ring of inner metal is on the portion of the metal wiring layer surrounding a portion of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Julien Frougier, Ruilong Xie, Alexander Reznicek, Bruce B. Doris
  • Patent number: 11374163
    Abstract: A low power, energy efficient, nonvolatile, high-speed memory apparatus is provided that can function at extremely low temperatures (e.g., less than 30 degree Kelvin). The apparatus includes: a first structure comprising a magnet having free or unpinned magnetization; a second structure comprising Type-II multiferroic material, wherein the second structure is adjacent to the first structure; and an interconnect comprising spin orbit material, wherein the interconnect is adjacent to the first structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tanay Gosavi, Chia-Ching Lin, Sasikanth Manipatruni, Dmitri Nikonov, Ian Young
  • Patent number: 11367830
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit includes a first conductive layer and a magnetoresistance element (MRE) disposed over and coupled to the first layer through first vias. The MRE is magnetized to produce a first magnetic orientation. The first layer is disposed over and coupled to a second conductive layer in the circuit through second vias. The circuit also includes a metal filler disposed proximate to the MRE. The metal filler is positioned over and coupled to the second layer through third vias. The circuit also includes a thermal dissipation path resulting from a physical input applied to the first MRE. The thermal dissipation path extends through the first through third vias, the first and second layers, an integrated circuit interconnection, and the metal filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Sundar Chetlur, Maxim Klebanov, Paolo Campiglio, Yen Ting Liu
  • Patent number: 11367749
    Abstract: A spin orbit torque (SOT) memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device with one end coupled with a first electrode and an opposite end coupled with a second electrode including a spin orbit torque material. In an embodiment, a second electrode is coupled with the free magnet and coupled between a pair of interconnect line segments. The second electrode and the pair of interconnect line segments include a spin orbit torque material. The second electrode has a conductive path cross-section that is smaller than a cross section of the conductive path in at least one of the interconnect line segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sato, Angeline Smith, Tanay Gosavi, Sasikanth Manipatruni, Kaan Oguz, Kevin O'Brien, Tofizur Rahman, Gary Allen, Atm G. Sarwar, Ian Young, Hui Jae Yoo, Christopher Wiegand, Benjamin Buford
  • Patent number: 11362267
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, an etch stop layer, a protective layer, and a resistance switching element. The substrate has a memory region and a logic region, and includes a metallization pattern therein. The etch stop layer is over the substrate, and has a first portion over the memory region and a second portion over the logic region. The protective layer covers the first portion of the etch stop layer. The protective layer does not cover the second portion of the etch stop layer. The resistance switching element is over the memory region, and the resistance switching element is electrically connected to the metallization pattern through the etch stop layer and the protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hsiang Tseng, Chih-Lin Wang, Yi-Huang Wu
  • Patent number: 11362263
    Abstract: A perpendicular spin orbit torque (SOT) memory device includes an electrode having a spin orbit coupling material and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device on a portion of the electrode. The electrode has a first SOC layer and a second SOC layer on a portion of the first SOC layer, where at least a portion of the first SOC layer at an interface with the second SOC layer includes oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sato, Tanay Gosavi, Justin Brockman, Sasikanth Manipatruni, Kaan Oguz, Kevin O'Brien, Christopher Wiegand, Angeline Smith, Tofizur Rahman, Ian Young
  • Patent number: 11342496
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes a substrate, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) stack disposed on the substrate, and an encapsulation layer surrounding the MTJ stack. The encapsulation layer comprises an outer silicon oxynitride layer with a composition of SiOx1Ny1 and an inner silicon oxynitride layer with a composition of SiOx2Ny2, wherein x1/y1>x2/y2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HeFeChip Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Hong-Hui Hsu, Wei-Chuan Chen, Qinli Ma, Shu-Jen Han
  • Patent number: 11342495
    Abstract: Magnetic memory devices may include a substrate, a metal pattern extending in a first direction on the substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction pattern on the metal pattern, and an anti-oxidation layer between the metal pattern and the magnetic tunnel junction pattern. The magnetic tunnel junction pattern may include a first magnetic pattern, a tunnel barrier pattern, and a second magnetic pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junghoon Bak, Woojin Kim, Junghwan Moon