Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-aligned techniques for forming connections in a memory device are described. A redistribution layer (RDL) for coupling an electrode of a capacitor of a memory cell with a corresponding selector device may be fabricated at a same time or stage as the electrode, using self-aligned techniques. When forming portions of a memory cell, a cavity for the electrode may be etched, and a portion of the RDL that extends from the electrode cavity to a corresponding selector device may also be selectively etched. The resulting cavities may be filled with an electrode material, which may form the electrode and couple the electrode to the corresponding selector device. The resulting memory device may support implementation of a staggered configuration for memory cells, and may include electrodes that share a crystalline structure with one or more corresponding portions of an RDL.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for chalcogenide memory device compositions are described. A memory cell may use a chalcogenide material having a composition as described herein as a storage materials, a selector materials, or as a self-selecting storage material. A chalcogenide material as described herein may include a sulfurous component, which may be completely sulfur (S) or may be a combination of sulfur and one or more other elements, such as selenium (Se). In addition to the sulfurous component, the chalcogenide material may further include one or more other elements, such as germanium (Ge), at least one Group-III element, or arsenic (As).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a resistive interface material are described. A memory device may be fabricated using a sequence of steps that include forming a stack of materials by depositing a first metal layer, depositing a first electrode layer on the metal layer, depositing a memory material on the first electrode layer to form one or more memory cells, depositing a second electrode layer on the memory material, and depositing a second metal layer on the second electrode layer. A lamina (or multiple) having a relatively high resistivity may be included in the stack of materials to reduce or eliminate a current spike that may otherwise occur across the memory cells during an access operation.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices, and associated systems and devices, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an opening in an electrically insulative material at least partially over a first electrically conductive feature and a second electrically conductive feature. The method can further include forming a ring of electrically conductive material around a sidewall of the insulative material defining the opening, wherein the ring of electrically conductive material includes (a) a first via portion over the first electrically conductive feature, (b) a second via portion over the second electrically conductive feature, and (c) connecting portions extending between the first and second via portions. Finally, the method can include removing the connecting portions of the ring of electrically conductive material to electrically isolate the first via portion from the second via portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for forming memory structures are described. Forming a memory structure may include etching a stack of material including a conductive line, a first electrode and a sacrificial material to divide the stack of material into multiple sections. The process may further include depositing an oxide material in each of the first quantity of channels to form multiple oxide materials. The sacrificial material may be etched to form a second channel between two oxide materials of the multiple oxide materials. Memory material may be deposited over the two oxide materials and the second channel, which may create a void in the second channel between the memory material and the first electrode. The memory material may be heated to fill the void in the second channel.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices, and associated systems and devices, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an opening in an electrically insulative material at least partially over a first electrically conductive feature and a second electrically conductive feature. The method can further include forming a ring of electrically conductive material around a sidewall of the insulative material defining the opening, wherein the ring of electrically conductive material includes (a) a first via portion over the first electrically conductive feature, (b) a second via portion over the second electrically conductive feature, and (c) connecting portions extending between the first and second via portions. Finally, the method can include removing the connecting portions of the ring of electrically conductive material to electrically isolate the first via portion from the second via portion.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices, and associated systems and devices, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an opening in an electrically insulative material at least partially over a first electrically conductive feature and a second electrically conductive feature. The method can further include forming a ring of electrically conductive material around a sidewall of the insulative material defining the opening, wherein the ring of electrically conductive material includes (a) a first via portion over the first electrically conductive feature, (b) a second via portion over the second electrically conductive feature, and (c) connecting portions extending between the first and second via portions. Finally, the method can include removing the connecting portions of the ring of electrically conductive material to electrically isolate the first via portion from the second via portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a resistive interface material are described. A memory device may be fabricated using a sequence of steps that include forming a stack of materials by depositing a first metal layer, depositing a first electrode layer on the metal layer, depositing a memory material on the first electrode layer to form one or more memory cells, depositing a second electrode layer on the memory material, and depositing a second metal layer on the second electrode layer. A lamina (or multiple) having a relatively high resistivity may be included in the stack of materials to reduce or eliminate a current spike that may otherwise occur across the memory cells during an access operation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for forming memory structures are described. Forming a memory structure may include etching a stack of material including a conductive line, a first electrode and a sacrificial material to divide the stack of material into multiple sections. The process may further include depositing an oxide material in each of the first quantity of channels to form multiple oxide materials. The sacrificial material may be etched to form a second channel between two oxide materials of the multiple oxide materials. Memory material may be deposited over the two oxide materials and the second channel, which may create a void in the second channel between the memory material and the first electrode. The memory material may be heated to fill the void in the second channel.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of stack structures overlying a substrate. Each stack structure includes a first chalcogenide material over a conductive material overlying the substrate, an electrode over the first chalcogenide material, a second chalcogenide material over the electrode, a liner on sidewalls of at least one of the first chalcogenide material or the second chalcogenide material, and a dielectric material over and in contact with sidewalls of the electrode and in contact with the liner. Related semiconductor devices and systems, methods of forming the semiconductor structure, semiconductor device, and systems, and methods of forming the liner in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for forming memory structures are described. Forming a memory structure may include etching a stack of material including a conductive line, a first electrode and a sacrificial material to divide the stack of material into multiple sections. The process may further include depositing an oxide material in each of the first quantity of channels to form multiple oxide materials. The sacrificial material may be etched to form a second channel between two oxide materials of the multiple oxide materials. Memory material may be deposited over the two oxide materials and the second channel, which may create a void in the second channel between the memory material and the first electrode. The memory material may be heated to fill the void in the second channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for forming memory structures are described. Forming a memory structure may include etching a stack of material including a conductive line, a first electrode and a sacrificial material to divide the stack of material into multiple sections. The process may further include depositing an oxide material in each of the first quantity of channels to form multiple oxide materials. The sacrificial material may be etched to form a second channel between two oxide materials of the multiple oxide materials. Memory material may be deposited over the two oxide materials and the second channel, which may create a void in the second channel between the memory material and the first electrode. The memory material may be heated to fill the void in the second channel.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods for depositing copper-containing material utilizing physical vapor deposition of the copper-containing material while keeping a temperature of the deposited copper-containing material at greater than 100° C. Some embodiments include methods in which openings are lined with a metal-containing composition, copper-containing material is physical vapor deposited over the metal-containing composition while a temperature of the copper-containing material is no greater than about 0° C., and the copper-containing material is then annealed while the copper-containing material is at a temperature in a range of from about 180° C. to about 250° C. Some embodiments include methods in which openings are lined with a composition containing metal and nitrogen, and the lined openings are at least partially filled with copper-containing material.

Abstract: Doping a storage element, a selector element, or both, of a memory cell with a dopant including one or more of aluminum (Al), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), and silicon (Si), can minimize volume or density changes in a phase change memory as well as minimize electromigration, in accordance with embodiments. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and a storage element comprising a layer of doped phase change material between the first and second electrodes, wherein the doped phase change material includes one or more of aluminum, zirconium, hafnium, and silicon. The storage element, a selector element, or both can be doped using techniques such as cosputtering or deposition of alternating layers of a dopant layer and a storage (or selector) material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of stack structures overlying a substrate. Each stack structure includes a first chalcogenide material over a conductive material overlying the substrate, an electrode over the first chalcogenide material, a second chalcogenide material over the electrode, a liner on sidewalls of at least one of the first chalcogenide material or the second chalcogenide material, and a dielectric material over and in contact with sidewalls of the electrode and in contact with the liner. Related semiconductor devices and systems, methods of forming the semiconductor structure, semiconductor device, and systems, and methods of forming the liner in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of stack structures overlying a substrate. Each stack structure includes a first chalcogenide material over a conductive material overlying the substrate, an electrode over the first chalcogenide material, a second chalcogenide material over the electrode, a liner on sidewalls of at least one of the first chalcogenide material or the second chalcogenide material, and a dielectric material over and in contact with sidewalls of the electrode and in contact with the liner. Related semiconductor devices and systems, methods of forming the semiconductor structure, semiconductor device, and systems, and methods of forming the liner in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods for depositing copper-containing material utilizing physical vapor deposition of the copper-containing material while keeping a temperature of the deposited copper-containing material at greater than 100° C. Some embodiments include methods in which openings are lined with a metal-containing composition, copper-containing material is physical vapor deposited over the metal-containing composition while a temperature of the copper-containing material is no greater than about 0° C., and the copper-containing material is then annealed while the copper-containing material is at a temperature in a range of from about 180° C. to about 250° C. Some embodiments include methods in which openings are lined with a composition containing metal and nitrogen, and the lined openings are at least partially filled with copper-containing material.

Abstract: Doping a storage element, a selector element, or both, of a memory cell with a dopant including one or more of aluminum (Al), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), and silicon (Si), can minimize volume or density changes in a phase change memory as well as minimize electromigration, in accordance with embodiments. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and a storage element comprising a layer of doped phase change material between the first and second electrodes, wherein the doped phase change material includes one or more of aluminum, zirconium, hafnium, and silicon. The storage element, a selector element, or both can be doped using techniques such as cosputtering or deposition of alternating layers of a dopant layer and a storage (or selector) material.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods for depositing copper-containing material utilizing physical vapor deposition of the copper-containing material while keeping a temperature of the deposited copper-containing material at greater than 100° C. Some embodiments include methods in which openings are lined with a metal-containing composition, copper-containing material is physical vapor deposited over the metal-containing composition while a temperature of the copper-containing material is no greater than about 0° C., and the copper-containing material is then annealed while the copper-containing material is at a temperature in a range of from about 180° C. to about 250° C. Some embodiments include methods in which openings are lined with a composition containing metal and nitrogen, and the lined openings are at least partially filled with copper-containing material.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods can include a resistive memory cell having a structured as an operably variable resistance region between two electrodes and a metallic barrier disposed in a region between the dielectric and one of the two electrodes. The metallic barrier can have a structure and a material composition to provide oxygen diffusivity above a first threshold during program or erase operations of the resistive memory cell and oxygen diffusivity below a second threshold during a retention state of the resistive memory cell. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.