Abstract: A metal oxide formed by in situ oxidation assisted by radiation induced photo-acid is described. The method includes depositing a photosensitive material over a metal surface of an electrode. Upon exposure to radiation (for example ultraviolet light), a component, such as a photo-acid generator, of the photosensitive material forms an oxidizing reactant, such as a photo acid, which causes oxidation of the metal at the metal surface. As a result of the oxidation, a layer of metal oxide is formed. The photosensitive material can then be removed, and subsequent elements of the component can be formed in contact with the metal oxide layer. The metal oxide can be a transition metal oxide by oxidation of a transition metal. The metal oxide layer can be applied as a memory element in a programmable resistance memory cell. The metal oxide can be an element of a programmable metallization cell.

Abstract: A disclosed memory device includes a three-dimension array structure that includes memory layers and transistor structures disposed between the memory layers. Each memory layer is connected to a common electrode, and each transistor structure includes transistors that share common column structures and common base structures. The transistors also each include a connector structure that is spaced apart from a common column structure by a common base structure.

Abstract: A phase change memory (PCM), a writing method thereof and a reading method thereof are provided. The PCM has a plurality of memory cells. The writing method comprises the following steps. At least one stress pulse is applied for aging at least one of the memory cells. A starting pulse is applied to all of the memory cells of the PCM for decreasing a resistance of each memory cell. A detection pulse is applied to all of the memory cells of the PCM for detecting the resistance of each memory cell. A set pulse is applied to the aged memory cells. A reset pulse is applied to the non-aged memory cells.

Abstract: Phase change based memory devices and methods for operating such devices described herein overcome the set or reset failure mode and result in improved endurance, reliability and data storage performance. A high current repair operation is carried out in response to a set or reset failure of a phase change memory cell. The higher current repair operation can provide a sufficient amount of energy to reverse compositional changes in the phase change material which can occur after repeated set and reset operations. By reversing these compositional changes, the techniques described herein can recover a memory cell which experienced a set or reset failure, thereby extending the endurance of the memory cell. In doing so, phase change based memory devices and methods for operating such devices are provided which have high cycle endurance.

Abstract: A method of optical proximity correction executed by a computer system and integrated circuit layout formed by the same, the step of optical proximity correction comprises: providing an integrated circuit layout with a plurality of parallel line patterns, wherein one side of at least one line pattern is provided with a convex portion; and modifying the integrated circuit layout by forming a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion at the other side of the line pattern.

Abstract: A metal oxide formed by in situ oxidation assisted by radiation induced photo-acid is described. The method includes depositing a photosensitive material over a metal surface of an electrode. Upon exposure to radiation (for example ultraviolet light), a component, such as a photo-acid generator, of the photosensitive material forms an oxidizing reactant, such as a photo acid, which causes oxidation of the metal at the metal surface. As a result of the oxidation, a layer of metal oxide is formed. The photosensitive material can then be removed, and subsequent elements of the component can be formed in contact with the metal oxide layer. The metal oxide can be a transition metal oxide by oxidation of a transition metal. The metal oxide layer can be applied as a memory element in a programmable resistance memory cell. The metal oxide can be an element of a programmable metallization cell.

Abstract: A method for managing memory includes setting a state of a first memory cell to a first state representing a first data and setting a state of a second memory cell to a second state representing the first data. If the state of the second memory cell has changed to a third state representing a second data different from the first data, the method also includes changing the state of the second memory cell back to the second state.

Abstract: A transmission particularly for bicycles, which is capable of multi-speed gear-shifting by means of reverse rotation and comprises: a transmission axle rotatable in both positive and reverse directions, a speed-changing gear set, a speed-changing cam set, and a transmission seat. The speed-changing gear set comprises a plurality of transmission gears and speed-changing gears which are respectively engaging with the transmission gears. When the transmission axle rotates reversely, the speed-changing cam set can be driven in order to control and decide which transmission gear of the speed-changing gear set is to be engaged and driven by the transmission axle during positive rotation, so as to achieve the feature of multi-speed gear-shifting by means of reverse rotation.

Abstract: An operating method for a memory device and a memory array and an operating method for the same are provided. The operating method for the memory device comprises following steps. A memory device is made being in a set state. A method for making the memory device being in the set state comprises applying a first bias voltage to the memory device. The memory device in the set state is read. A method for reading the memory device in the set state comprises applying a second bias voltage to the memory device. A recovering bias voltage is applied to the memory device. The step for applying the recovering bias voltage is performed after the step for applying the first bias voltage or the step for applying the second bias voltage.

Abstract: A memory device having a phase change material element with a modified stoichiometry in the active region does not exhibit drift in set state resistance. A method for manufacturing the memory device includes first manufacturing an integrated circuit including an array of phase change memory cells with bodies of phase change material having a bulk stoichiometry; and then applying forming current to the phase change memory cells in the array to change the bulk stoichiometry in active regions of the bodies of phase change material to the modified stoichiometry, without disturbing the bulk stoichiometry outside the active regions. The bulk stoichiometry is characterized by stability under the thermodynamic conditions outside the active region, while the modified stoichiometry is characterized by stability under the thermodynamic conditions inside the active region.

Abstract: A self-rectified device is provided, comprising a bottom electrode, a patterned dielectric layer with a contact hole formed on the bottom electrode, a memory formed at the bottom electrode and substantially aligned with the contact hole, and a top electrode formed on the bottom electrode and filling into the contact hole to contact with the memory, wherein the top electrode comprises a N+ type semiconductor material or a P+ type semiconductor material, and the memory and the top electrode produce a self-rectified property.

Abstract: A conductive bridge resistive memory device is provided, comprising a first electrode, a memory layer electrically coupled to the first electrode, an ion-supplying layer containing a source of ions of a first metal element capable of diffusion into and out of the memory layer, a semiconductor layer disposed between the memory layer and the ion-supplying layer, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the ion-supplying layer.

Abstract: A memory cell described herein includes a memory element comprising programmable resistance memory material overlying a conductive contact. An insulator element includes a pipe shaped portion extending from the conductive contact into the memory element, the pipe shaped portion having proximal and distal ends and an inside surface defining an interior, the proximal end adjacent the conductive contact. A bottom electrode contacts the conductive contact and extends upwardly within the interior from the proximal end to the distal end, the bottom electrode having a top surface contacting the memory element adjacent the distal end at a first contact surface. A top electrode is separated from the distal end of the pipe shaped portion by the memory element and contacts the memory element at a second contact surface, the second contact surface having a surface area greater than that of the first contact surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern of doped region includes the following steps. At first, a device layout pattern including a gate layout pattern and a doped region layout pattern is provided to a computer system. Subsequently, the device layout pattern is split into a plurality of sub regions, and the sub regions have different pattern densities of the gate layout pattern. Then, at least an optical proximity correction (OPC) calculation is respectively performed on the doped region layout pattern in each of the sub regions to respectively form a corrected sub doped region layout pattern in each of the sub regions. Afterwards, the corrected sub doped region layout patterns are combined to form a corrected doped region layout pattern, and the corrected doped region layout pattern is outputted onto a mask through the computer system.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method and an operating method for the same are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a doped region and a stack structure. The doped region is in the substrate. The stack structure is on the substrate. The stack structure comprises a dielectric layer, an electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer and an ion supplying layer.

Abstract: A memory chip and methods of fabricating a memory device with different programming performance and retention characteristics on a single wafer. One method includes depositing a first bounded area of phase change material on the wafer and depositing a second bounded area of phase change material on the wafer. The method includes modifying the chemical composition of a switching volume of the first bounded area of phase change material. The method includes forming a first memory cell in the first bounded area of phase change material with a modified switching volume of phase change material and a second memory cell in the second bounded area of phase change material with an unmodified switching volume of phase change material such that the first memory cell has a first retention property and the second memory cell has a second retention property. The first retention property is different from the second retention property.

Abstract: A programmable metallization device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, and a dielectric layer, a conductive ion-barrier layer, and an ion-supplying layer in series between the first and second electrodes. In operation, a conductive bridge is formed or destructed in the dielectric layer to represent a data value using bias voltages having the same polarity, enabling the use of diode access devices. To form a conductive bridge, a bias is applied that is high enough to cause ions to penetrate the conductive ion-barrier layer into the dielectric layer, which then form filaments or bridges. To destruct the conductive bridge, a bias of the same polarity is applied that causes current to flow through the structure, while ion flow is blocked by the conductive ion-barrier layer. As a result of Joule heating, any bridge in the dielectric layer disintegrates.

Abstract: A memory cell array of dielectric charge trapping memory cells and method for performing program, read and erase operations on the memory cell array that includes bits stored at charge trapping sites in adjacent memory cells. A bit of information is stored at a first charge trapping site in a first memory cell and a second charge trapping site in a second adjacent memory cell. Storing charge at two trapping sites in adjacent memory cells increases data retention rates of the array of memory cells as each charge trapping site can be read to represent the data that is stored at the data site. Each corresponding charge trapping site can be read independently and in parallel so that the results can be compared to determine the data value that is stored at the data site in an array of dielectric charge trapping memory cells.

Abstract: An integrated circuit phase change memory can be pre-coded by inducing a first resistance state in some cells and the memory, and a second resistance state and some other cells in the memory to represent a data set. The integrated circuit phase change memory is mounted on a substrate after coding the data set. After mounting the integrated circuit phase change memory, the data set is read by sensing the first and second resistance states, and changing cells in the first resistance state to a third resistance state and changing cells in the second resistance state to a fourth resistance state. The first and second resistance states maintain a sensing margin after solder bonding or other thermal cycling process. The third and fourth resistance states are characterized by the ability to cause a transition using higher speed and lower power, suitable for a mission function of a circuit.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods for operating such devices are described which can effectively program the metal-oxide memory elements in an array, while also avoiding applying unnecessarily high voltage pulses. Programming operations described herein include applying a lower voltage pulse across a metal-oxide memory element to establish a desired resistance state, and only applying a higher voltage pulse when the lower voltage pulse is insufficient to program the memory element. In doing so, issues associated with applying unnecessarily high voltages across the memory element can be avoided.