Patents by Inventor Gianpaolo Spadini

Gianpaolo Spadini 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: 20120331204
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the drift management for a memory device. In at least one embodiment, the memory device of the present disclosure may include a phase change memory and switch (hereinafter “PCMS”) memory cell and a memory controller that is capable of implementing drift management to control drift. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Elijah V. Karpov, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20120294076
    Abstract: A phase change memory with a heater with sublithographic dimensions may be achieved, in some embodiments, with lower thermal budget. The phase change memory may use a controlled etching process to reduce the lateral dimension of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jong-Won S. Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20120282752
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, methods of fabricating current-confining stack structures in a phase change memory switch (PCMS) cell are provided. One embodiment shows a method of fabricating a PCMS cell with current in an upper chalcogenide confined in the row and column directions. In one embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension memory chalcogenide are shown. In another embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension middle electrode heaters are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Jong Won Lee, DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Patent number: 8278641
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, methods of fabricating current-confining stack structures in a phase change memory switch (PCMS) cell are provided. One embodiment shows a method of fabricating a PCMS cell with current in an upper chalcogenide confined in the row and column directions. In one embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension memory chalcogenide are shown. In another embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension middle electrode heaters are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jong-Won Sean Lee, DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20120243306
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the fabrication of non-volatile memory devices. In at least one embodiment, the non-volatile memory of the present disclosure may include a phase change memory and switch (hereinafter “PCMS”) memory cell and a process for resetting the PCMS memory utilizing a “look-up” table to calculate a current required to place a bit above a reference level to maximum threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Elijah V. Karpov, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20120225534
    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: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Derchang Kau
  • Publication number: 20120155161
    Abstract: A three-terminal Ovonic Threshold Switch (OTS) is used to provide current to a Phase Change Memory Switch (PCMS) cross point array. The current is started by sending a small current into the second terminal of the three-terminal OTS allowing a larger current to flow from the first terminal to the third terminal of the three-terminal OTS. A method of making the three-terminal OTS is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Jong-Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Patent number: 8184469
    Abstract: A method for enhancing data storage may comprise storing two or more bits in a memory cell, wherein the stored bits may be characterized by two or more independent variables based, at least in part, on physical properties of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes A. Kalb, DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20110240943
    Abstract: Disturb from the reset to the set state may be reduced by creating an amorphous phase that is substantially free of crystal nuclei when programming the reset state in a phase change memory. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by using a current or a voltage to program that exceeds the threshold voltage of the phase change memory element, but does not exceed a safe current voltage which would cause a disturb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Ovonyx, Inc.
    Inventors: George Gordon, Semyon D. Savransky, Ward Parkinson, Sergey A. Kostylev, James Reed, Tyler Lowrey, Ilya V. Karpov, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Patent number: 7990761
    Abstract: Disturb from the reset to the set state may be reduced by creating an amorphous phase that is substantially free of crystal nuclei when programming the reset state in a phase change memory. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by using a current or a voltage to program that exceeds the threshold voltage of the phase change memory element, but does not exceed a safe current voltage which would cause a disturb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Ovonyx, Inc.
    Inventors: George Gordon, Semyon D. Savransky, Ward Parkinson, Sergey A. Kostylev, James Reed, Tyler Lowrey, Ilya V. Karpov, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20110147695
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, methods of fabricating current-confining stack structures in a phase change memory switch (PCMS) cell are provided. One embodiment shows a method of fabricating a PCMS cell with current in an upper chalcogenide confined in the row and column directions. In one embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension memory chalcogenide are shown. In another embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension middle electrode heaters are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Jong-Won Sean Lee, Derchang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20110134685
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and methods for an energy efficient set write of phase change memory with switch are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Derchang Kau, Johannes Kalb, Elijah Karpov, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20110128770
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to enhancing data storage density of a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes A. Kalb, DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20100165716
    Abstract: A memory device including a plurality of memory cells being arranged in a matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each memory cell includes a storage element and a selector for selecting the corresponding storage element during a reading operation or a programming operation. The memory device further including a plurality of row lines each one for selecting the memory cells of a corresponding row and a plurality of column lines each one for selecting the memory cells of a corresponding column. The memory device further includes for each line among the row lines and/or the column lines a respective set of local lines each one for selecting a group of memory cells of the corresponding line, and a respective set of selection elements each one for selecting a corresponding local line of the set in response to the selection of the respective line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Derchang Kau, Greg Atwood, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20090302298
    Abstract: A phase change memory may be formed with a sublithographic heater by using a mask with a sidewall spacer to etch an opening in a dielectric layer. The opening then has a sublithographic lateral extent. The resulting via may be filled with a heater material to form a sublithographic heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Jong-Won S. Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20090244962
    Abstract: Disturb from the reset to the set state may be reduced by creating an amorphous phase that is substantially free of crystal nuclei when programming the reset state in a phase change memory. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by using a current or a voltage to program that exceeds the threshold voltage of the phase change memory element, but does not exceed a safe current voltage which would cause a disturb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: George Gordon, Semyon D. Savransky, Ward Parkinson, Sergey A. Kostylev, James Reed, Tyler Lowrey, Ilya V. Karpov, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20090196091
    Abstract: A self-aligned phase change memory may be formed by blanket depositing a number of layers and then using patterning techniques to define the individual cells. In one embodiment, a layer of phase change material may be blanket deposited over a lower electrode material. The structure may then be patterned and etched to form a plurality of spaced, parallel elongate first strips. Those strips may then be covered with a filler material, planarized, and then patterned again in a transverse direction to form a plurality of transverse, spaced, parallel second strips. The resulting structure then has singulated phase change material with connections in at least one of the row or column direction. The singulated the phase change material is self-aligned to underlying and overlying electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Derchang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini, Wim Deweerd
  • Publication number: 20090026437
    Abstract: A phase change memory cell may include two or more stacked or unstacked series connected memory elements. The cell has a higher, adjustable threshold voltage. A copper diffusion plug may be provided within a pore over a copper line. By positioning the plug below the subsequent chalcogenide layer, the plug may be effective to block copper diffusion upwardly into the pore and into the chalcogenide material. Such diffusion may adversely affect the electrical characteristics of the chalcogenide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Yudong Kim, Charles C. Kuo, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20080090324
    Abstract: A phase change memory with a heater with sublithographic dimensions may be achieved, in some embodiments, with lower thermal budget. The phase change memory may use a controlled etching process to reduce the lateral dimension of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Jong-Won S. Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20070233937
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for writing data into both a volatile portion and an erase block of a non-volatile portion of a storage device, and maintaining the data in the volatile portion until the data is successfully written to the erase block. In this way, enhanced data reliability is provided. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Coulson, Gianpaolo Spadini, Neal Mielke