Patents by Inventor Erh-Kun Lai

Erh-Kun Lai 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: 20140264524
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of stacked strips on a substrate and a plurality of conductive lines on the stacked strips. The stacked strips and the conductive lines are arranged orthogonally to each other and a conductive liner is formed there between. A first air gap fills the space between the two adjacent stacked strips and under one of the conductive lines, which is positioned on top of said two adjacent stacked strips, whereas a second air gap is between the two adjacent conductive lines. The material of the conductive liner is different from that of the conductive lines. The distance between the two adjacent stacked strips is below 200 nm, and the aspect ratio of the stacked strip is at least 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: ERH-KUN LAI
  • Publication number: 20140264615
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack structure and a transistor. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. The stack structure is formed over the substrate in the first region. The transistor structure has a gate formed in the second region. A bottom portion of the gate structure is disposed at a height from the substrate that is less than a height between the substrate and a bottom portion of the stack structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: ERH-KUN LAI, CHIA-JUNG CHIU, CHIEH LO
  • Publication number: 20140264621
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method for the same are provided. The method comprises following steps. A first gate structure is formed on a substrate in a first region. A protecting layer is formed covering the first gate structure. A second gate structure is formed on the substrate in second region exposed by the protecting layer and adjacent to the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guan-Ru Lee, Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20140264353
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device includes forming a plurality of active layers alternating with insulating layers on a substrate where the active layers include an active material, etching the active layers and insulating layers to define a plurality of stacks of active strips, and after the etching, causing crystal growth in the active strips. The substrate can have a single crystalline surface with a crystal structure orientation, and the crystal growth in the active material can form crystallized material having the crystal structure orientation of the substrate at least near side surfaces of the active strips. Causing crystal growth includes depositing a seeding layer over the plurality of stacks and the substrate, where the seeding layer is in contact with the side surfaces of the active strips, and in contact with the substrate. The method can include, after causing crystal growth, removing the seeding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20140264546
    Abstract: For certain three dimensionally stacked memory devices, bit lines or word lines for memory cells are stacked in spaced apart ridge like structures arranged to extend in a first direction. In such structures, complementary wordlines or bit lines, can be damascene features between the spaced apart. The damascene conductors can be formed using double patterned masks to etch sub-lithographic sacrificial lines, forming a fill over the sacrificial lines, and then removing the sacrificial lines to leave trenches that act as the damascene molds in the fill. Then the trenches are filled with the conductor material. The 3D memory array can include dielectric charge trapping memory cells, which have a high-K blocking dielectric layer, and in which the conductor material comprises a high work function material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTENATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ERH-KUN LAI, YEN-HAO SHIH, GUANRU LEE
  • Patent number: 8816423
    Abstract: A semiconducting multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of first conductive layers, a plurality of first insulating layers and a second conductive layer is disclosed. The first conductive layers are separately disposed. Each of the first conductive layers has an upper surface, a bottom surface opposite to the upper surface and a lateral surface. The first insulating layers surround the peripherals of the first conductive layers. Each of the first insulating layers covers at least a part of the upper surface of each of the first conductive layers, at least a part of the bottom surface of each of the first conductive layers and the two lateral surface of each of the first conductive layers. The second conductive layer covers the first conductive layers and the first insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Publication number: 20140203237
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Chien, Dai-Ying Lee, Erh-Kun Lai, Ming-Hsiu Lee
  • Patent number: 8772106
    Abstract: Memory devices are described along with methods for manufacturing and methods for operating. A memory device as described herein includes a plurality of memory cells located between word lines and bit lines. Memory cells in the plurality of memory cells comprise a diode and a metal-oxide memory element programmable to a plurality of resistance states including a first and a second resistance state, the diode of the memory element arranged in electrical series along a current path between a corresponding word line and a corresponding bit line. The device further includes bias circuitry to apply bias arrangements across the series arrangement of the diode and the memory element of a selected memory cell in the plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Daou Lee, Erh-Kun Lai, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh, Wei-Chih Chien, Chien Hung Yeh
  • Patent number: 8735969
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a stacked structure, a plurality of first conductive blocks, a plurality of first conductive layers, a plurality of second conductive layers, and a plurality of conductive damascene structures. The stacked structure, comprising a plurality of conductive strips and a plurality of insulating strips, is formed on a substrate, and the conductive strips and the insulating strips are interlaced. The first conductive blocks are formed on the stacked structure. The first conductive layers and the second conductive layers are formed on two sidewalls of the stacked structure, respectively. The conductive damascene structures are formed on two sides of the stacked structure, wherein each of the first conductive blocks is electrically connected to each of the conductive damascene structures via each of the first conductive strips and each of the second conductive strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih, Shih-Chang Tsai
  • Patent number: 8722469
    Abstract: A memory cell and a process for manufacturing the same are provided. In the process, a first electrode layer is formed on a conductive layer over a substrate, and then a transition metal layer is formed on the first electrode layer. After that, the transition metal layer is subjected to a plasma oxidation step to form a transition metal oxide layer as a precursor of a data storage layer, and a second electrode layer is formed on the transition metal oxide layer. A memory cell is formed after the second electrode layer, the transition metal oxide layer and the first electrode layer are patterned into a second electrode, a data storage layer and a first electrode, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Daou Lee, Chia-Hua Ho, Erh-Kun Lai, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20140124945
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a stacked structure, a plurality of first conductive blocks, a plurality of first conductive layers, a plurality of second conductive layers, and a plurality of conductive damascene structures. The stacked structure, comprising a plurality of conductive strips and a plurality of insulating strips, is formed on a substrate, and the conductive strips and the insulating strips are interlaced. The first conductive blocks are formed on the stacked structure. The first conductive layers and the second conductive layers are formed on two sidewalls of the stacked structure, respectively. The conductive damascene structures are formed on two sides of the stacked structure, wherein each of the first conductive blocks is electrically connected to each of the conductive damascene structures via each of the first conductive strips and each of the second conductive strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih, Shih-Chang Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140119127
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lan Lung, YEN-HAO SHIH, ERH-KUN LAI, MING-HSIU LEE
  • Patent number: 8704205
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure with improved capacitance of bit lines includes a substrate, a stacked memory structure, a plurality of bit lines, a first stair contact structure, a first group of transistor structures and a first conductive line. The first stair contact structure is formed on the substrate and includes conductive planes and insulating planes stacked alternately. The conductive planes are separated from each other by the insulating planes for connecting the bit lines to the stacked memory structure by stairs. The first group of transistor structures is formed in a first bulk area where the bit lines pass through and then connect to the conductive planes. The first group of transistor structures has a first gate around the first bulk area. The first conductive line is connected to the first gate to control the voltage applied to the first gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Chen, Hang-Ting Lue, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh, Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Publication number: 20140103530
    Abstract: A three dimensional stacked semiconductor structure comprises a stack including plural oxide layers and conductive layers arranged alternately, at least a contact hole formed vertically to the oxide layers and the conductive layers, and extending to one of the conductive layers, an insulator formed at the sidewall of the contact hole, a conductor formed in the contact hole and connecting the corresponding conductive layer, and the corresponding conductive layer comprises a silicide. The silicide could be formed at edges or an entire body of the corresponding conductive layer. Besides the silicide, the corresponding conductive layer could, partially or completely, further comprise a conductive material connected to the conductor. The corresponding conductive layer which the contact hole extends to has higher conductivity than other conductive layers. Also, the 3D stacked semiconductor structure could be applied to a fan-out region of a 3D flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Patent number: 8697487
    Abstract: Memory devices based on tungsten-oxide memory regions are described, along with methods for manufacturing and methods for programming such devices. The tungsten-oxide memory region can be formed by oxidation of tungsten material using a non-critical mask, or even no mask at all in some embodiments. A memory device described herein includes a bottom electrode and a memory element on the bottom electrode. The memory element comprises at least one tungsten-oxygen compound and is programmable to at least two resistance states. A top electrode comprising a barrier material is on the memory element, the barrier material preventing movement of metal-ions from the top electrode into the memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: ChiaHua Ho, Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20140073108
    Abstract: A bistable resistance random access memory is described for enhancing the data retention in a resistance random access memory member. A dielectric member, e.g. the bottom dielectric member, underlies the resistance random access memory member which improves the SET/RESET window in the retention of information. The deposition of the bottom dielectric member is carried out by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition or by high-density-plasma chemical vapor deposition. One suitable material for constructing the bottom dielectric member is a silicon oxide. The bistable resistance random access memory includes a bottom dielectric member disposed between a resistance random access member and a bottom electrode or bottom contact plug. Additional layers including a bit line, a top contact plug, and a top electrode disposed over the top surface of the resistance random access memory member. Sides of the top electrode and the resistance random access memory member are substantially aligned with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: ChiaHua Ho, Erh-Kun Lai, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8664689
    Abstract: A memory device includes a driver comprising a pn-junction in the form of a multilayer stack including a first doped semiconductor region having a first conductivity type, and a second doped semiconductor plug having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, the first and second doped semiconductors defining a pn junction therebetween, in which the first doped semiconductor region is formed in a single-crystalline semiconductor, and the second doped semiconductor region includes a polycrystalline semiconductor. Also, a method for making a memory device includes forming a first doped semiconductor region of a first conductivity type in a single-crystal semiconductor, such as on a semiconductor wafer; and forming a second doped polycrystalline semiconductor region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, defining a pn junction between the first and second regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lan Lung, Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih, Yi-Chou Chen, Shih-Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20140054535
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure with improved capacitance of bit lines includes a substrate, a stacked memory structure, a plurality of bit lines, a first stair contact structure, a first group of transistor structures and a first conductive line. The first stair contact structure is formed on the substrate and includes conductive planes and insulating planes stacked alternately. The conductive planes are separated from each other by the insulating planes for connecting the bit lines to the stacked memory structure by stairs. The first group of transistor structures is formed in a first bulk area where the bit lines pass through and then connect to the conductive planes. The first group of transistor structures has a first gate around the first bulk area. The first conductive line is connected to the first gate to control the voltage applied to the first gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Chen, Hang-Ting Lue, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh, Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Publication number: 20140042629
    Abstract: A semiconducting multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of first conductive layers, a plurality of first insulating layers and a second conductive layer is disclosed. The first conductive layers are separately disposed. Each of the first conductive layers has an upper surface, a bottom surface opposite to the upper surface and a lateral surface. The first insulating layers surround the peripherals of the first conductive layers. Each of the first insulating layers covers at least a part of the upper surface of each of the first conductive layers, at least a part of the bottom surface of each of the first conductive layers and the two lateral surface of each of the first conductive layers. The second conductive layer covers the first conductive layers and the first insulating layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Patent number: 8642398
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory including, an insulating layer, a hard mask layer, a bottom electrode, a memory cell and a top electrode is provided. The insulating layer is disposed on the bottom electrode. The insulating layer has a contact hole having a first width. The hard mask layer has an opening. A portion of the memory cell is exposed from the opening and has a second width smaller than the first width. The top electrode is disposed on the insulating layer and is coupled with the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Daou Lee, Chia-Hua Ho, Erh-Kun Lai, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh