Patents by Inventor Eiji Natori

Eiji Natori 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).

  • Publication number: 20040224188
    Abstract: A lower electrode is formed over a substrate, and a raw material including a complex oxide is heated in an atmosphere pressurized to two atmospheres or more and containing oxygen at a volume ratio of 10% or less at a temperature raising rate of 100° C./min or less, thereby forming a lower alloy film of a compound of a first metal which makes up the complex oxide, and a second metal, which makes up the lower electrode, over the lower electrode. A ceramic film in which the raw material is crystallized is formed over the lower alloy film, and an upper electrode is formed over the ceramic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kijima, Eiji Natori
  • Publication number: 20040214352
    Abstract: A ferroelectric film is formed by an oxide that is described by a general formula AB1-xNbxO3. An A element includes at least Pb, and a B element includes at least one of Zr, Ti, V, W, Hf and Ta. The ferroelectric film includes Nb within the range of: 0.05≦x<1. The ferroelectric film can be used for any of ferroelectric memories of 1T1C, 2T2C and simple matrix types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kijima, Yasuaki Hamada, Eiji Natori, Koji Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6791863
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a memory cell array and a peripheral circuit section. The memory cell array, in which memory cells are arranged in a matrix, includes first signal electrodes, second signal electrodes which are arranged in a direction so as to intersect the first signal electrodes, and a ferroelectric layer disposed at least at intersection regions between the first signal electrodes and the second signal electrodes. The peripheral circuit section includes circuits for selectively allowing information to be written into or read from the memory cells, such as a first driver circuit, a second driver circuit, and a signal detection circuit. The memory cell array and the peripheral circuit section are disposed in different layers so as to be layered. This ferroelectric memory device can significantly increase the degree of integration of the memory cells and decrease the chip area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Oguchi, Eiji Natori, Kazumasa Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040173827
    Abstract: Provided are a memory cell array including ferroelectric capacitors with improved characteristics, a method for making the same, and a ferroelectric memory device including the memory cell of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Eiji Natori, Masao Nakayama, Tatsuo Sawasaki, Hiroaki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20040173826
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device and a method for manufacturing the memory device are provided that facilitate the formation of different types of a plurality of memories on an identical substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Natori
  • Publication number: 20040161887
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device of the present invention includes a memory cell array in which memory cells are arranged in a matrix having first signal electrodes, second signal electrodes arranged in a direction intersecting the first signal electrodes, and a ferroelectric layer disposed at least in intersection regions between the first signal electrodes and the second signal electrodes, and a peripheral circuit section for selectively writing information into or reading information from the memory cell. The memory cell array and the peripheral circuit section are formed in different layers. The peripheral circuit section is formed in a region outside the memory cell array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Eiji Natori, Takao Nishikawa, Koichi Oguchi, Tatsuya Shimoda
  • Publication number: 20040152213
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferroelectric memory of the present invention includes applying pulsed laser light 70 to a ferroelectric capacitor 105 from above the ferroelectric capacitor in a state in which at least the ferroelectric capacitor 105 is formed over a substrate 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sawasaki, Eiji Natori, Tomokazu Kobayashi, Yasuaki Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040109341
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a memory cell array and a peripheral circuit section. The memory cell array, in which memory cells are arranged in a matrix, includes first signal electrodes, second signal electrodes which are arranged in a direction so as to intersect the first signal electrodes, and a ferroelectric layer disposed at least at intersection regions between the first signal electrodes and the second signal electrodes. The peripheral circuit section includes circuits for selectively allowing information to be written into or read from the memory cells, such as a first driver circuit, a second driver circuit, and a signal detection circuit. The memory cell array and the peripheral circuit section are disposed in different layers so as to be layered. This ferroelectric memory device can significantly increase the degree of integration of the memory cells and decrease the chip area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Oguchi, Eiji Natori, Kazumasa Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040101980
    Abstract: A ferroelectric thin film comprising at least two stock solutions is made so that the stock solutions are mixed homogeneously in the plane and over the thickness on a substrate, or so that the stock solutions are mixed having a distribution in the plane and over the thickness on the substrate. A ferroelectric thin film mixed homogeneously in the plane is made by discharging two stock solutions 105 and 106 separately at a fixed discharging rate by separate inkjet heads using an inkjet apparatus having at least two inkjet heads, and a ferroelectric thin film mixed homogeneously over the thickness is made by repeating this process. Moreover, a ferroelectric thin film having a distribution of the stock solutions is made by changing the discharging rate in the thickness direction or the in-plane direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kurokawa, Eiji Natori
  • Patent number: 6737690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ferroelectric memory having a matrix-type memory cell array which has an excellent degree of integration, in which the angularity of the ferroelectric layer's hysteresis curve is improved. A ferroelectric memory having both integration and memory characteristics in which the angularity of the ferroelectric layer's hysteresis curve is improved is realized as follows. Namely, a structure is employed in which the memory cell array and the peripheral circuit are in a plane separated from one another, and the ferroelectric layer is made to undergo epitaxial growth on to a Si single crystal via a buffer and the first signal electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Higuchi, Setsuya Iwashita, Hiromu Miyazawa, Kazumasa Hasegawa, Eiji Natori
  • Publication number: 20040083969
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a film forming apparatus being capable of forming films sequentially with two types of film forming mechanisms in the same chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicants: Seiko Epson Corporation, YOUTEC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kijima, Eiji Natori, Mitsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6727536
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device of the present invention includes a memory cell array in which memory cells are arranged in a matrix having first signal electrodes, second signal electrodes arranged in a direction intersecting the first signal electrodes, and a ferroelectric layer disposed at least in intersection regions between the first signal electrodes and the second signal electrodes, and a peripheral circuit section for selectively writing information into or reading information from the memory cell. The memory cell array and the peripheral circuit section are formed in different layers. The peripheral circuit section is formed in a region outside the memory cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Eiji Natori, Takao Nishikawa, Koichi Oguchi, Tatsuya Shimoda
  • Patent number: 6717837
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes memory cells including ferroelectric capacitors formed in regions in which first signal electrodes intersect second signal electrodes. Information is written into a selected memory cell by applying a write voltage between one of the first signal electrodes and one of the second signal electrodes in the memory cell. Information is read from the selected memory cell by applying a read voltage between one of the first signal electrodes and one of the second signal electrodes in the memory cell. Provided that the write voltage is ±Vs and the read voltage is either +Vs or −Vs, |Vs| is less than the absolute value of a saturation voltage at which remanent polarization of the ferroelectric capacitors is saturated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Eiji Natori
  • Publication number: 20040033318
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method for forming a thin-film using raw material fluid containing a film ingredient and supercritical fluid or liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicants: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, YOUTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kijima, Eiji Natori, Mitsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6690598
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a memory cell array and a peripheral circuit section. The memory cell array, in which memory cells are arranged in a matrix, includes first signal electrodes, second signal electrodes which are arranged in a direction so as to intersect the first signal electrodes, and a ferroelectric layer disposed at least at intersection regions between the first signal electrodes and the second signal electrodes. The peripheral circuit section includes circuits for selectively allowing information to be written into or read from the memory cells, such as a first driver circuit, a second driver circuit, and a signal detection circuit. The memory cell array and the peripheral circuit section are disposed in different layers so as to be layered. This ferroelectric memory device can significantly increase the degree of integration of the memory cells and decrease the chip area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Oguchi, Eiji Natori, Kazumasa Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6690599
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a simple matrix type memory cell array. Provided that the maximum absolute value of a voltage applied between a first signal electrode and a second signal electrode is Vs, polarization P of a ferroelectric capacitor formed of the first signal electrode, the second signal electrode, and ferroelectric layer is within the range of 0.1P(+Vs)<P(−⅓Vs) when the applied voltage is changed from +Vs to −⅓Vs, and 0.1P(−Vs)>P(+⅓Vs) when the applied voltage is changed from −Vs to +⅓Vs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Eiji Natori, Hiromu Miyazawa, Junichi Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20040022090
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a simple matrix type memory cell array. Provided that the maximum absolute value of a voltage applied between a first signal electrode and a second signal electrode is Vs, polarization P of a ferroelectric capacitor formed of the first electrode, the second electrode, and ferroelectric layer is within the range of 0.1P(+Vs)<P(−1/3Vs) when the applied voltage is changed from +Vs to −1/3Vs, and 0.1P(−Vs)>P(+1/3Vs) when the applied voltage is changed from −Vs to +1/3Vs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Eiji Natori, Hiromu Miyazawa, Junichi Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20040014247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to: a memory cell array which is capable of decreasing the parasitic capacitance of signal electrodes and has ferroelectric layers making up ferroelectric capacitors and having a predetermined pattern; a method of fabricating the memory cell array, and a ferroelectric memory device. In the memory cell array, memory cells formed of ferroelectric capacitors are arranged in a matrix. The ferroelectric capacitors include first signal electrodes, second signal electrodes arranged in a direction intersecting the first signal electrodes, and ferroelectric layers disposed linearly along either the first signal electrodes or the second signal electrodes. Alternatively, the ferroelectric layers may be disposed only in intersection areas of the first and second signal electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Natori, Kazumasa Hasegawa, Koichi Oguchi, Takao Nishikawa, Tatsuya Shimoda
  • Publication number: 20030227803
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes first electrodes, second electrodes arranged in a direction which intersects the first electrodes, and ferroelectric films disposed in at least intersecting regions of the first electrodes and the second electrodes. Capacitors formed of the first electrodes, the ferroelectric films, and the second electrodes are disposed in a matrix. A ferroelectric phase and a paraelectric phase are mixed in each of the ferroelectric films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Natori, Takeshi Kijima
  • Publication number: 20030213426
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic film includes a step of forming a ceramic film 30 by crystallizing a raw material body 20. The raw material body 20 contains different types of raw materials in a mixed state. The different types of raw materials differ from one another in at least one of a crystal growth condition and a crystal growth mechanism in the crystallization of the raw materials. According to this manufacturing method, a surface morphology of the ceramic film can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Natori, Koichi Furuyama, Yuzo Tasaki