Patents by Inventor Amitay Levi

Amitay Levi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10438999
    Abstract: A switching device, according to one embodiment, includes: a cylindrical pillar gate contact, an annular cylindrical channel which encircles a portion of the cylindrical pillar gate contact, an annular cylindrical oxide layer which encircles a portion of the annular cylindrical channel, and a source contact tab which encircles a portion of the annular cylindrical channel toward a first end of the annular cylindrical channel. Other systems are also described in additional embodiments herein which provide various different switching devices having improved components including improved annular cylindrical channel structures, improved source contacts, and/or improved cylindrical pillar gate contacts. These improved systems and components thereof may be implemented in vertical annular transistor structures in comparison to conventional surface transistor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker, Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery
  • Patent number: 10438996
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating devices including arrays of integrated Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJs) and corresponding selectors in an array of cells. The array of cells can include a plurality of source lines disposed in columns, set of selectors coupled to respective source lines, MJT structures coupled to respective selectors and a plurality of bit lines disposed in rows and coupled to respective sets of MTJ structures. The array of cells can also include buffers coupled between respective selectors and respective MTJ structures. In addition, multiple arrays can be fabricated on top of each other to implement vertical three-dimensional (3D) MTJ devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Spin Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Andy Walker, Amitay Levi
  • Patent number: 10431628
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes forming a drain contact above a channel, each having a hollow circular cross-section thereof along a plane perpendicular to a film thickness direction, forming gate dielectric layers on sides of the drain contact and the channel, forming a source line positioned below the channel that is electrically coupled to a plurality of channels in a direction along the plane, forming gate layers on sides of the gate dielectric layers, where an inner gate layer fills a hole through a center of a center concentric circular cross-section of the gate dielectric layers along the plane, and where an outer gate layer surrounds an outside concentric circular cross-section of the gate dielectric layers along the plane, forming an electrode above the upper surface of the drain contact, and forming a fourth insulative layer on sides of the electrode along the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Marcin Gajek, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi
  • Publication number: 20190287596
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for performing operations on memory devices. In one aspect, a memory device a magnetic memory component and a current selector component coupled to the magnetic memory component. The current selector component includes a first transistor having a first gate with a corresponding first threshold voltage. The first transistor comprises a charge storage layer configured to selectively store charge so as to adjust a current through the first transistor. The memory device further includes control circuitry configured to determine a bit error rate of the magnetic memory component and adjust a charge stored in the charge storage layer based on the determined bit error rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi
  • Patent number: 10355045
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a substrate, an array of 3D structures, where each 3D structure includes a source region having a first conductivity, a series of layers positioned in a vertical direction, a channel material on a surface of at least one sidewall of each 3D structure, and a gate dielectric material on the channel material. The series of layers includes a dielectric layer positioned above the substrate, a plurality of a set of MTJ layers positioned above the dielectric layer, and a buffer layer positioned in between the dielectric layer and each set of MTJ layers thereof. The magnetic memory device further includes an isolation region positioned between the 3D structures and at least one gate region positioned above the isolation region, where each gate region is coupled to at least one sidewall of each 3D structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker
  • Patent number: 10355046
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a bottom electrode layer positioned above a substrate in a film thickness direction, a source layer positioned above the bottom electrode layer in the film thickness direction, an impact ionization channel (i-channel) layer positioned above the source layer in the film thickness direction, a drain layer positioned above the i-channel layer in the film thickness direction, an upper electrode layer positioned above the drain layer in the film thickness direction that forms a stack that includes the bottom electrode layer, the source layer, the i-channel layer, the drain layer, and the upper electrode layer, and a gate layer positioned on sides of the i-channel layer along a plane perpendicular to the film thickness direction in an element width direction. The gate layer is positioned closer to the drain layer than the source layer. Other apparatuses are described in accordance with more embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker
  • Patent number: 10355047
    Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes: forming an annular cylindrical channel from a single block of electrically conductive material; forming an oxide layer over exposed surfaces of the annular cylindrical channel and exposed surfaces of the block of electrically conductive material; removing a portion of the oxide layer from an exterior base of the annular cylindrical channel, thereby forming a source contact recess which surrounds the base of the annular cylindrical channel; ion-implanting the exposed electrically conductive material substrate at a base of the source contact recess; and depositing a silicide material in the source contact recess, thereby forming a source contact tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker, Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery
  • Publication number: 20190214069
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for performing operations on memory devices. In one aspect, a memory device includes: (1) a first charge storage device having a first gate with a corresponding first threshold voltage, the first charge storage device configured to store charge corresponding to one or more first bits; and (2) a second charge storage device having a second gate with a corresponding second threshold voltage, distinct from the first threshold voltage, the second charge storage device configured to store charge corresponding to one or more second bits; where the second charge storage device is coupled in parallel with the first charge storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi
  • Publication number: 20190214552
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method includes forming a cleavable donor substrate, the substrate including monocrystalline Si, forming a dielectric layer above the substrate in a film thickness direction, and cleaving the substrate into an upper portion having the dielectric layer and a lower portion. In one embodiment, the cleavable substrate is formed using a sacrificial buffer layer above the substrate in the film thickness direction, and forming a strained Si layer above the sacrificial buffer layer in the film thickness direction, followed by etching away the sacrificial buffer layer to cleave the substrate. In another embodiment, the cleavable substrate is formed by implanting ions into the substrate to a peak implant position located below an upper surface of the substrate, annealing the substrate and dielectric layer in an inert environment to form blisters at the peak implant position, and cleaving the substrate using the blisters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Spin Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcin Gajek, Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi
  • Publication number: 20190214551
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes forming an etch-stop layer above a substrate, forming a matrix layer above the etch-stop layer, forming a set of pillars above the matrix layer, the set of pillars having a predefined spacing therebetween along a plane in an element width direction and an element depth direction, the plane being normal to a film thickness direction, forming a functionalization layer above the pillars, along sides of the pillars, and above the matrix layer, forming first diblock copolymer layers above the functionalization layer, the first diblock copolymer layers self-segregating into a first polymer and a second polymer in a first pattern, removing the first polymer from the first diblock copolymer layers to create a first mask layer, and removing portions of the matrix layer to expose portions of the etch-stop layer positioned therebelow and create a second pattern in the matrix layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker
  • Publication number: 20190214431
    Abstract: A device having two transistors with dual thresholds, and a method of fabricating the device, including fabricating a silicide source, a conductive layer, and contacts to a plurality of layers of the device, is provided. The device has a core and a plurality of layers that surround the core in succession, including a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and a fourth layer. The device further comprises a first input terminal coupled to the core, the first input terminal being configured to receive a first voltage and a second input terminal coupled to the fourth layer, the second input terminal being configured to receive a second voltage. The device comprises a common source terminal coupled to the core and the fourth layer. A memory device, such as an MTJ, may be coupled to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi, Kuk-Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20190214430
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating devices including arrays of integrated Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJs) and corresponding selectors in an array of cells. The array of cells can include a plurality of source lines disposed in columns, set of selectors coupled to respective source lines, MJT structures coupled to respective selectors and a plurality of bit lines disposed in rows and coupled to respective sets of MTJ structures. The array of cells can also include buffers coupled between respective selectors and respective MTJ structures. In addition, multiple arrays can be fabricated on top of each other to implement vertical three-dimensional (3D) MTJ devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan KIM, Dafna BEERY, Andy WALKER, Amitay LEVI
  • Publication number: 20190214432
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes forming a drain contact above a channel, each having a hollow circular cross-section thereof along a plane perpendicular to a film thickness direction, forming gate dielectric layers on sides of the drain contact and the channel, forming a source line positioned below the channel that is electrically coupled to a plurality of channels in a direction along the plane, forming gate layers on sides of the gate dielectric layers, where an inner gate layer fills a hole through a center of a center concentric circular cross-section of the gate dielectric layers along the plane, and where an outer gate layer surrounds an outside concentric circular cross-section of the gate dielectric layers along the plane, forming an electrode above the upper surface of the drain contact, and forming a fourth insulative layer on sides of the electrode along the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Marcin Gajek, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi
  • Patent number: 10347822
    Abstract: A method of forming a cylindrical vertical transistor; the method, according to one embodiment, includes: forming a cylindrical pillar from a single block of silicon, forming an oxide layer over an exterior of the cylindrical pillar and exposed surfaces of the block of silicon, coating the oxide layer with a spin-on-glass (SOG), depositing a source mask over a majority of the SOG coating, and removing a portion of the SOG coating and underlying oxide layer, where the portion removed is defined by the source mask. Other systems and methods are also described in additional embodiments herein which provide various different improved processes of forming the cylindrical gate contacts, the source contacts, and/or the drain contacts for vertical transistor structures which also include the aforementioned cylindrical pillar channel structures and cylindrical gate in comparison to conventional surface transistor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker, Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery
  • Patent number: 10347311
    Abstract: A switching device, according to one embodiment, includes: a cylindrical pillar; an annular cylindrical oxide layer which encircles a portion of the cylindrical pillar; an annular cylindrical gate contact which encircles a portion of the annular cylindrical oxide layer; and a source contact which encircles a portion of the cylindrical pillar toward a first end of the cylindrical pillar. Other systems are also described in additional embodiments herein which provide various different switching devices having improved components including improved cylindrical gate contacts, improved source contacts, and/or improved drain contacts. These improved systems and components thereof may be implemented in vertical transistor structures which also include the aforementioned cylindrical pillar and cylindrical gate contact in comparison to conventional surface transistor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SPIN MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker, Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery
  • Publication number: 20190207098
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a channel layer positioned above a substrate in a film thickness direction, the channel layer including a lower channel layer positioned below an upper channel layer in the film thickness direction, a gate dielectric layer positioned on sides of the channel layer, a gate layer positioned on sides of the gate dielectric layer, and an electrode layer positioned above an upper portion of the channel layer in the film thickness direction. Sides of the electrode layer extend beyond sides of the channel layer in an element thickness direction perpendicular to the film thickness direction. Other systems and methods of manufacturing thereof are described in accordance with more embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker
  • Publication number: 20190207024
    Abstract: A transistor structure, according to one embodiment, includes: an epitaxially grown vertical channel, a word line which surrounds a middle portion of the vertical channel, and a p-MTJ sensor coupled to a first end of the vertical channel. The second side of the vertical channel is opposite the first side of the vertical channel along a plane perpendicular to a deposition direction. A magnetic device, according to another embodiment, includes: a plurality of transistor structures, each of the transistor structures comprising: an epitaxially grown vertical channel, a word line which surrounds a middle portion of the vertical channel, and a p-MTJ sensor coupled to a first end of the vertical channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker
  • Publication number: 20190206937
    Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes: forming an annular cylindrical channel from a single block of electrically conductive material; forming an oxide layer over exposed surfaces of the annular cylindrical channel and exposed surfaces of the block of electrically conductive material; removing a portion of the oxide layer from an exterior base of the annular cylindrical channel, thereby forming a source contact recess which surrounds the base of the annular cylindrical channel; ion-implanting the exposed electrically conductive material substrate at a base of the source contact recess; and depositing a silicide material in the source contact recess, thereby forming a source contact tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker, Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery
  • Publication number: 20190206461
    Abstract: A switching device, according to one embodiment, includes: a cylindrical pillar; an annular cylindrical oxide layer which encircles a portion of the cylindrical pillar; an annular cylindrical gate contact which encircles a portion of the annular cylindrical oxide layer; and a source contact which encircles a portion of the cylindrical pillar toward a first end of the cylindrical pillar. Other systems are also described in additional embodiments herein which provide various different switching devices having improved components including improved cylindrical gate contacts, improved source contacts, and/or improved drain contacts. These improved systems and components thereof may be implemented in vertical transistor structures which also include the aforementioned cylindrical pillar and cylindrical gate contact in comparison to conventional surface transistor structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Gian Sharma, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker, Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery
  • Publication number: 20190206935
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a bottom electrode layer positioned above a substrate in a film thickness direction, a source layer positioned above the bottom electrode layer in the film thickness direction, an impact ionization channel (i-channel) layer positioned above the source layer in the film thickness direction, a drain layer positioned above the i-channel layer in the film thickness direction, an upper electrode layer positioned above the drain layer in the film thickness direction that forms a stack that includes the bottom electrode layer, the source layer, the i-channel layer, the drain layer, and the upper electrode layer, and a gate layer positioned on sides of the i-channel layer along a plane perpendicular to the film thickness direction in an element width direction. The gate layer is positioned closer to the drain layer than the source layer. Other apparatuses are described in accordance with more embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kuk-Hwan Kim, Dafna Beery, Amitay Levi, Andrew J. Walker