Abstract: Provided are a non-volatile memory device and a method of operating the non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device includes a switching device and a storage node connected to the switching device, wherein the storage node comprises: a first electrode connected to the switching device; a chalcogenide material layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on the chalcogenide material layer, and one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode contact layer formed adjacent to a limited region of the chalcogenide material layer, and a property of the electrode region adjacent to the chalcogenide material layer is changed reversibly according to the direction in which a current is applied, thereby changing between a high resistance state and a low resistance state.

Abstract: Provided are a doped phase change material and a phase change memory device including the phase change material. The phase change material, which may be doped with Se, has a higher crystallization temperature than a Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) material. The phase change material may be InXSbYTeZSe100?(X+Y+Z). The index X of indium (In) is in the range of 25 wt %?X?60 wt %. The index Y of antimony (Sb) is in the range of 1 wt %?Y?17 wt %. The index Z of tellurium (Te) is in the range of 0 wt %<Z?75 wt %.

Abstract: A storage node may include a bottom electrode contact layer, a phase change layer connected to the bottom electrode contact layer, and a top electrode layer connected to the phase change layer. The bottom electrode contact layer may protrude toward the phase change layer. A phase change memory device may include a switching device and the storage node. The switching device may be connected to the bottom electrode contact layer. A method of manufacturing the storage node may include forming a via hole in an insulating interlayer, at least partially filling the via hole to form a bottom electrode contact layer, protruding the bottom electrode contact layer from the via hole, and forming a phase change layer that covers the bottom electrode contact layer. A method of manufacturing a phase change memory device may include forming the switching device on a substrate and manufacturing the storage node.

Abstract: Example embodiments may provide a doped phase change layer and a method of operating and fabricating a phase change memory with the example embodiment doped phase change layer. The phase change memory may include a storage node having a phase change layer and a switching device, wherein the phase change layer includes indium with a concentration ranging from about 5 at % to about 15 at %. The phase change layer may be a GST layer that includes indium. The phase change layer may be a GST layer that includes gallium.

Abstract: A threshold switching operation method of a nonvolatile memory device may be provided. In the threshold switching operation method of a nonvolatile memory a pulse voltage may be supplied to a metal oxide layer of the nonvolatile memory device. Accordingly, it may be possible to operate the nonvolatile memory device at a lower voltage with lower threshold switching current.

Abstract: A programming method for a phase-change random access memory (PRAM) may be provided. The programming method may include determining an amorphous state of a chalcogenide material using programming pulses to form programming areas having threshold voltages corresponding to logic high and logic low, and/or controlling a trailing edge of programming pulses during programming to control a quenching speed of the chalcogenide material so as to adjust a threshold voltage of the chalcogenide material. Accordingly, programming pulses corresponding to logic low or logic high may have uniform magnitudes regardless of a corresponding logic level. Accordingly, reliability of a PRAM device may be improved.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for the combination of injecting charge in a material electrochemically via non-faradaic (double-layer) charging, and retaining this charge and associated desirable properties changes when the electrolyte is removed. The present invention is also directed to compositions and applications using material property changes that are induced electrochemically by double-layer charging and retained during subsequent electrolyte removal. In some embodiments, the present invention provides reversible processes for electrochemically injecting charge into material that is not in direct contact with an electrolyte. Additionally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to devices and other material applications that use properties changes resulting from reversible electrochemical charge injection in the absence of an electrolyte.

Abstract: A phase change memory device includes a phase change resistor and first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes may be connected to opposite ends of the phase change resistor, respectively. In a programming operation, the resistance of the phase change resistor is changed to at least one of a plurality of stages by an electric signal applied in a direction from the first electrode to the second electrode and an electric signal applied in a direction from the second electrode to the first electrode. In a reading operation, the programmed resistance of the phase change resistor is read by applying an electric signal between the first electrode and the second electrode in an arbitrary direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for the combination of injecting charge in a material electrochemically via non-faradaic (double-layer) charging, and retaining this charge and associated desirable properties changes when the electrolyte is removed. The present invention is also directed to compositions and applications using material property changes that are induced electrochemically by double-layer charging and retained during subsequent electrolyte removal. In some embodiments, the present invention provides reversible processes for electrochemically injecting charge into material that is not in direct contact with an electrolyte. Additionally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to devices and other material applications that use properties changes resulting from reversible electrochemical charge injection in the absence of an electrolyte.

Abstract: A storage node, a phase change memory device, and methods of operating and fabricating the same are provided. The storage node may include a lower electrode, a phase change layer on the lower electrode and an upper electrode on the phase change layer, and the lower electrode and the upper electrode may be composed of thermoelectric materials having a melting point higher than that of the phase change layer, and having different conductivity types. An upper surface of the lower electrode may have a recessed shape, and a lower electrode contact layer may be provided between the lower electrode and the phase change layer. A thickness of the phase change layer may be about 100 nm or less, and the lower electrode may be composed of an n-type thermoelectric material, and the upper electrode may be composed of a p-type thermoelectric material, or they may be composed on the contrary to the above.

Abstract: A phase change random access memory (PRAM), and a method of operating the PRAM are provided. In the PRAM comprising a switching element and a storage node connected to the switching element, the storage node comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a phase change layer between the first electrode and a second electrode, and a heat efficiency improving element formed between the first electrode and the phase change layer. The heat efficiency improving element may be one of a carbon nanotube (CNT) layer, a nanoparticle layer, and a nanodot layer, and the nanoparticle layer may be a fullerene layer.

Abstract: A phase change material, a PRAM including the same, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are provided. Insulating impurities may be uniformly distributed over an entire or partial region of the phase change material. The PRAM may include a phase change layer including the phase change material. The insulating impurity content of the phase change material may be 0.1 to 10% (inclusive) the volume of the phase change material. The insulating impurity content of the phase change material may be adjusted by controlling the power applied to a target including the insulating impurities.

Abstract: Provided are phase change random access memory (PRAM) devices and methods of operating the same. The PRAM device may include a switching device, a lower electrode, a lower electrode contact layer, a phase change layer and/or an upper electrode. The lower electrode may be connected to a switching device. The lower electrode contact layer may be formed on the lower electrode. The phase change layer, which may include a bottom surface that contacts an upper surface of the lower electrode contact layer, may be formed on the lower electrode contact layer. The upper electrode may be formed on the phase change layer. The lower electrode contact layer may be formed of a material layer having an absolute value of a Seebeck coefficient higher than TiAlN. The Seebeck coefficient of the lower electrode contact layer may be negative. The material layer may have lower heat conductivity and/or approximately equivalent electrical resistance as TiAlN.

Abstract: In a memory device, a transistor may be formed on a substrate, and a first electrode may be electrically connected thereto. A phase change material film may be vertically formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode may be formed on the phase change material film.

Abstract: A PRAM and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The PRAM includes a transistor and a data storage capability. The data storage capability is connected to the transistor. The data storage includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a porous PCM layer. The porous PCM layer is interposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode.

Abstract: In a memory device, at least one conductive contact having a width of less than, or equal to, about 30 nm may be formed on a first electrode. A dielectric layer may be formed on the sides of the at least one conductive contact, and a phase change material film may be formed on the conductive contact. A second electrode may be formed on the phase change material.

Abstract: Provided is a method of operating a phase change random access memory comprising a switching device and a storage node comprising a phase change layer. The method includes applying a reset current passing through the phase change layer from a lower portion of the phase change layer toward an upper portion of the phase change layer and being smaller than 1.6 mA to the storage node to change a portion of the phase change layer into an amorphous state. The set voltage is in an opposite direction is exemplary embodiments, and a connector is of small cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A phase change memory device including a phase change material layer having phase change nano particles and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The phase change memory device may include a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other, a phase change material layer containing phase change nano particles interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and/or a switching device electrically connected to the first electrode.

Abstract: A memory device using a multi-layer with a graded resistance change is provided. The memory device includes: a lower electrode; a data storage layer being located on the lower electrode and having the graded resistance change; and an upper electrode being located on the data storage layer.