Patents by Inventor DerChang Kau

DerChang Kau 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: 9368554
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Patent number: 9368205
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for word-line path isolation in a phase change memory (PCM) device. In an embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device, wherein the memory cell is coupled with a capacitor and subsequent to said increasing the current, generating a transient current through the memory cell by discharge of the capacitor to reset the memory cell. In another embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device and controlling the current to be greater than a threshold current and lower than a hold current of the memory cell to set the memory cell. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Kiran Pangal, Gerard H. Joyce, Prashant Damle, Derchang Kau, Davide Fugazza
  • Publication number: 20160149127
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for increasing thermal insulation in a resistance change memory device, also known as a phase change memory (PCM) device. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage structure of a PCM device, the storage structure having a chalcogenide material, an electrode having an electrically conductive material, the electrode having a first surface that is directly coupled with the storage structure, and a dielectric film having a dielectric material, the dielectric film being directly coupled with a second surface of the electrode that is disposed opposite to the first surface. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventor: DerChang Kau
  • Publication number: 20160104747
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Patent number: 9306165
    Abstract: Methods of forming memory cells comprising phase change and/or chalcogenide materials are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a lower line stack extending in a first direction, the lower line stack comprising a sacrificial line over a lower conductive line. The method further includes forming a chalcogenide line extending in the first direction by selectively removing the sacrificial material of the sacrificial line and replacing the sacrificial line with a chalcogenide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jong-Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Stephen W. Russell, Derchang Kau
  • Publication number: 20160093375
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reference and sense architecture in a cross-point memory. An apparatus may include a memory controller configured to select a target memory cell for a memory access operation. The memory controller includes word line (WL) switch circuitry configured to select a global WL (GWL) and a local WL (LWL) associated with the target memory cell; bit line (BL) switch circuitry configured to select a global BL (GBL) and a local BL (LBL) associated with the target memory cell; and sense circuitry including a first sense circuitry capacitance and a second sense circuitry capacitance, the sense circuitry configured to precharge the selected GWL, the LWL and the first sense circuitry capacitance to a WL bias voltage WLVDM, produce a reference voltage (VREF) utilizing charge on the selected GWL and charge on the first sense circuitry capacitance and determine a state of the target memory cell based, at least in part, on VREF and a detected memory cell voltage VLWL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Balaji Srinivasan, Doyle Rivers, Derchang Kau, Matthew Goldman
  • Patent number: 9287498
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for increasing thermal insulation in a resistance change memory device, also known as a phase change memory (PCM) device. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage structure of a PCM device, the storage structure having a chalcogenide material, an electrode having an electrically conductive material, the electrode having a first surface that is directly coupled with the storage structure, and a dielectric film having a dielectric material, the dielectric film being directly coupled with a second surface of the electrode that is disposed opposite to the first surface. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: DerChang Kau
  • Patent number: 9245926
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20150280118
    Abstract: Methods of forming memory cells comprising phase change and/or chalcogenide materials are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a lower line stack extending in a first direction, the lower line stack comprising a sacrificial line over a lower conductive line. The method further includes forming a chalcogenide line extending in the first direction by selectively removing the sacrificial material of the sacrificial line and replacing the sacrificial line with a chalcogenide material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jong-Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Stephen W. Russell, Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 9142271
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reference and sense architecture in a cross-point memory. An apparatus may include a memory controller configured to select a target memory cell for a memory access operation. The memory controller includes word line (WL) switch circuitry configured to select a global WL (GWL) and a local WL (LWL) associated with the target memory cell; bit line (BL) switch circuitry configured to select a global BL (GBL) and a local BL (LBL) associated with the target memory cell; and sense circuitry including a first sense circuitry capacitance and a second sense circuitry capacitance, the sense circuitry configured to precharge the selected GWL, the LWL and the first sense circuitry capacitance to a WL bias voltage WLVDM, produce a reference voltage (VREF) utilizing charge on the selected GWL and charge on the first sense circuitry capacitance and determine a state of the target memory cell based, at least in part, on VREF and a detected memory cell voltage VLWL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Balaji Srinivasan, Doyle Rivers, Derchang Kau, Matthew Goldman
  • Publication number: 20150055407
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for word-line path isolation in a phase change memory (PCM) device. In an embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device, wherein the memory cell is coupled with a capacitor and subsequent to said increasing the current, generating a transient current through the memory cell by discharge of the capacitor to reset the memory cell. In another embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device and controlling the current to be greater than a threshold current and lower than a hold current of the memory cell to set the memory cell. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Kiran Pangal, Gerard H. Joyce, Prashant Damle, Derchang Kau, Davide Fugazza
  • Publication number: 20150001458
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a self-aligned cross-point phase change memory-switch array and methods of fabricating same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jong Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 8909849
    Abstract: An apparatus for data storage is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a phase change memory device comprising phase change memory storage elements. The apparatus further includes control logic to control two or more set pipelines to serve memory requests in a staggered manner, such that set operations of the memory requests begin at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Sundaram, Derchang Kau, David J. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8765581
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a self-aligned cross-point phase change memory-switch array and methods of fabricating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 8730755
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the fabrication of non-volatile memory devices. In at least one embodiment, a single transistor may be used to drive each address line, either a wordline or a bitline. Both an inhibit voltage and a selection voltage may be driven through these single transistor devices, which may be achieved with the introduction of odd and even designations for the address lines. In one operating embodiment, a selected address line may be driven to a selection voltage, and the address lines of the odd or even designation which is the same as the selected address line are allowed to float. The address lines of the odd or even designation with is different from the selected address lines are driven to an inhibit voltage, wherein adjacent floating address lines may act as shielding lines to the selected address line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond W. Zeng, DerChang Kau
  • Patent number: 8649212
    Abstract: Techniques for determining access information describing an accessing of a phase change memory (PCM) device. In an embodiment, an initial read time for a PCM cell is determined based on a final read time for the PCM cell, set threshold voltage information and a reset threshold voltage drift, wherein the final read time and the initial read time define a time window for reading the PCM cell. In another embodiment, a time window extension is determined based on a reset threshold voltage drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Derchang Kau, Albert Fazio
  • Patent number: 8605531
    Abstract: A phase change memory with switch (PCMS) compensates for threshold voltage drift by utilizing a lower demarcation voltage for a verify operation after programming than for a read operation occurring at least a predetermined period of time after the programming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: DerChang Kau
  • Publication number: 20130294152
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20130256624
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for increasing thermal insulation in a resistance change memory device, also known as a phase change memory (PCM) device. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage structure of a PCM device, the storage structure having a chalcogenide material, an electrode having an electrically conductive material, the electrode having a first surface that is directly coupled with the storage structure, and a dielectric film having a dielectric material, the dielectric film being directly coupled with a second surface of the electrode that is disposed opposite to the first surface. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: DerChang Kau
  • Publication number: 20130242686
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the fabrication of non-volatile memory devices. In at least one embodiment, a single transistor may be used to drive each address line, either a wordline or a bitline. Both an inhibit voltage and a selection voltage may be driven through these single transistor devices, which may be achieved with the introduction of odd and even designations for the address lines. In one operating embodiment, a selected address line may be driven to a selection voltage, and the address lines of the odd or even designation which is the same as the selected address line are allowed to float. The address lines of the odd or even designation with is different from the selected address lines are driven to an inhibit voltage, wherein adjacent floating address lines may act as shielding lines to the selected address line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Raymond W. Zeng, DerChang Kau