Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device may include a substrate including a cell array region, a peripheral circuit region, and a connection region between the cell array region and the peripheral circuit region. The memory device may include an electrode structure extending from the cell array region toward the connection region and comprising electrodes stacked on the substrate, a horizontal gate dielectric layer between the electrode structure and the substrate and including a first portion on the cell array region and a second portion on the connection region, the second portion thicker than the first portion in the vertical direction, first vertical channels on the cell array region and penetrating the electrode structure and the first portion of the horizontal gate dielectric layer, and second vertical channels on the connection region and penetrating the electrode structure and the second portion of the horizontal gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, 3-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate extending horizontally in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction. A stacked memory cell array is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The memory device further includes a separation pattern including a plurality of separation lines extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction, and dividing the stacked memory cell array into a plurality of memory cell structures extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction. An upper insulating layer is formed above the plurality of memory cell structures and separation lines, and a passivation layer is formed above the upper insulating layer. The passivation layer includes a plurality of first regions having a first vertical thickness. A plurality of gap regions in the passivation layer are formed between the plurality of first regions.

Abstract: In some embodiments, 3-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate extending horizontally in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction. A stacked memory cell array is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The memory device further includes a separation pattern including a plurality of separation lines extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction, and dividing the stacked memory cell array into a plurality of memory cell structures extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction. An upper insulating layer is formed above the plurality of memory cell structures and separation lines, and a passivation layer is formed above the upper insulating layer. The passivation layer includes a plurality of first regions having a first vertical thickness. A plurality of gap regions in the passivation layer are formed between the plurality of first regions.

Abstract: In some embodiments, 3-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate extending horizontally in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction. A stacked memory cell array is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The memory device further includes a separation pattern including a plurality of separation lines extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction, and dividing the stacked memory cell array into a plurality of memory cell structures extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction. An upper insulating layer is formed above the plurality of memory cell structures and separation lines, and a passivation layer is formed above the upper insulating layer. The passivation layer includes a plurality of first regions having a first vertical thickness. A plurality of gap regions in the passivation layer are formed between the plurality of first regions.

Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device may include a substrate including a cell array region, a peripheral circuit region, and a connection region between the cell array region and the peripheral circuit region. The memory device may include an electrode structure extending from the cell array region toward the connection region and comprising electrodes stacked on the substrate, a horizontal gate dielectric layer between the electrode structure and the substrate and including a first portion on the cell array region and a second portion on the connection region, the second portion thicker than the first portion in the vertical direction, first vertical channels on the cell array region and penetrating the electrode structure and the first portion of the horizontal gate dielectric layer, and second vertical channels on the connection region and penetrating the electrode structure and the second portion of the horizontal gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, 3-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate extending horizontally in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction. A stacked memory cell array is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The memory device further includes a separation pattern including a plurality of separation lines extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction, and dividing the stacked memory cell array into a plurality of memory cell structures extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction. An upper insulating layer is formed above the plurality of memory cell structures and separation lines, and a passivation layer is formed above the upper insulating layer. The passivation layer includes a plurality of first regions having a first vertical thickness. A plurality of gap regions in the passivation layer are formed between the plurality of first regions.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate and a first insulating layer on the substrate. The first insulating layer includes a first opening therein. A lower electrode is provided in the first opening and protrudes from a surface of the first insulating layer outside the first opening. An electrode passivation pattern is provided on a sidewall of the lower electrode that protrudes from the surface of the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is provided on the first insulating layer and includes a second opening therein at least partially exposing the lower electrode. A variable resistance material layer extends into the second opening to contact the lower electrode. The electrode passivation layer electrically separates the sidewall of the lower electrode from the variable resistance material layer. The electrode passivation pattern is formed of a material having an etching selectivity to that of the second insulating layer. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods of forming a variable-resistance memory device include patterning an interlayer dielectric layer to define an opening therein that exposes a bottom electrode of a variable-resistance memory cell, on a memory cell region of a substrate (e.g., semiconductor substrate). These methods further include depositing a layer of variable-resistance material (e.g., phase-changeable material) onto the exposed bottom electrode in the opening and onto a first portion of the interlayer dielectric layer extending opposite a peripheral circuit region of the substrate. The layer of variable-resistance material and the first portion of the interlayer dielectric layer are then selectively etched in sequence to define a recess in the interlayer dielectric layer. The layer of variable-resistance material and the interlayer dielectric layer are then planarized to define a variable-resistance pattern within the opening.

Abstract: A phase change memory device includes a mold oxide layer on a substrate, a lower electrode on the mold oxide layer and connected to the substrate, a blocking structure covering a part of the lower electrode and including an etch-stop layer and a blocking structure insulating layer, and a phase change layer covering a remaining part of the lower electrode not covered by the blocking structure, The etch-stop layer includes a material having a higher etching selectivity than that of the lower electrode.

Abstract: Provided are variable resistance memory devices and methods of forming the variable resistance memory devices. The methods can include forming an etch stop layer on an electrode, forming a molding layer on the etch stop layer, forming a recess region including a lower part having a first width and an upper part having a second width by recessing the etch stop layer and the molding layer, and forming a layer of variable resistance material in the recess region.

Abstract: Methods of forming a variable-resistance memory device include patterning an interlayer dielectric layer to define an opening therein that exposes a bottom electrode of a variable-resistance memory cell, on a memory cell region of a substrate (e.g., semiconductor substrate). These methods further include depositing a layer of variable-resistance material (e.g., phase-changeable material) onto the exposed bottom electrode in the opening and onto a first portion of the interlayer dielectric layer extending opposite a peripheral circuit region of the substrate. The layer of variable-resistance material and the first portion of the interlayer dielectric layer are then selectively etched in sequence to define a recess in the interlayer dielectric layer. The layer of variable-resistance material and the interlayer dielectric layer are then planarized to define a variable-resistance pattern within the opening.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate and a first insulating layer on the substrate. The first insulating layer includes a first opening therein. A lower electrode is provided in the first opening and protrudes from a surface of the first insulating layer outside the first opening. An electrode passivation pattern is provided on a sidewall of the lower electrode that protrudes from the surface of the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is provided on the first insulating layer and includes a second opening therein at least partially exposing the lower electrode. A variable resistance material layer extends into the second opening to contact the lower electrode. The electrode passivation layer electrically separates the sidewall of the lower electrode from the variable resistance material layer. The electrode passivation pattern is formed of a material having an etching selectivity to that of the second insulating layer. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a variable resistance memory device. The operating method applies a set pulse to a plurality of memory cells to be written in a set state, and applies a reset pulse to a plurality of memory cells to be written in a reset state. The width of the set pulse is narrower than the width of the reset pulse.

Abstract: A PRAM device may include an insulating interlayer, a diode, a metal silicide layer, a barrier spacer, an outer spacer, a lower electrode, a phase-changeable layer and an upper electrode. The insulating interlayer may be formed on a substrate. The insulating interlayer may have a contact hole. The diode may be formed in the contact hole. The metal silicide layer may be formed on the diode. The barrier spacer may be formed on an upper surface of the metal silicide layer and a side surface of the contact hole. The outer spacer may be formed on the barrier spacer. The lower electrode may be formed on the barrier spacer. The phase-changeable layer may be formed on the lower electrode. The upper electrode may be formed on the phase-changeable layer.

Abstract: Provided are variable resistance memory devices and methods of forming the variable resistance memory devices. The methods can include forming an etch stop layer on an electrode, forming a molding layer on the etch stop layer, forming a recess region including a lower part having a first width and an upper part having a second width by recessing the etch stop layer and the molding layer, and forming a layer of variable resistance material in the recess region.

Abstract: A stacked ferroelectric memory device has selection transistors including a first gate structure, a first impurity region, a second impurity region, a first insulating interlayer covering the selection transistors, bit line structures electrically connected to the first impurity regions, a second insulating interlayer covering the bit line structures, doped single crystalline silicon plugs formed through the first and the second insulating interlayers, each of which contacts the second impurity region and has a height greater than that of the bit line structures, active patterns disposed on the plugs and the second insulating interlayer, each of which contacts the plugs, and ferroelectric transistors disposed on the active patterns, each of which has a second gate structure including a ferroelectric layer pattern and a conductive pattern, a third impurity region and a fourth impurity region. The ferroelectric memory device performs a random access operation and has a high degree of integration.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having an MIM capacitor and a method of forming the same are provided. A lower electrode includes a plate electrode and a sidewall electrode. The plate electrode is formed by a patterning process preferably including a plasma anisotropic etching. The sidewall electrode is formed like a spacer on an inner sidewall of an opening exposing the plate electrode by a plasma entire surface anisotropic etching.

Abstract: In a node structure under a capacitor in a ferroelectric random access memory device and a method of forming the same, top surfaces of the node structures are disposed at substantially the same level as a top surface of an interlayer insulating layer surrounding the node structures, and thus crystal growth of a ferroelectric in the capacitor can be stabilized. To this end, a node insulating pattern is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A node defining pattern surrounding the node insulating pattern is disposed under the node insulating pattern. A node conductive pattern is disposed between the node defining pattern and the node insulating pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric random access memory includes sequentially forming a conductive pattern, an etch-stop layer, a ferroelectric capacitor and an interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor substrate, which includes a first region and a second region. The ferroelectric capacitor is formed on the first region and the conductive pattern is formed on the second region. The interlayer dielectric is patterned to simultaneously form a first opening to expose a top surface of the ferroelectric capacitor and a second opening to expose a top surface of the etch-stop layer. The patterned interlayer dielectric is annealed in an ambient atmosphere, including oxygen atoms. The etch-stop layer exposed through the second opening is etched to expose a top surface of the conductive pattern. First and second top plugs are formed to connect to the ferroelectric capacitor and the conductive pattern through the first and second openings, respectively.

Abstract: Ferroelectric integrated circuit devices, such as memory devices, are formed on an integrated circuit substrate. Ferroelectric capacitor(s) are on the integrated circuit substrate and a further structure on the integrated circuit substrate overlies at least a part of the ferroelectric capacitor(s). The further structure includes at least one layer providing a barrier to oxygen flow to the ferroelectric capacitor(s). An oxygen penetration path contacting the ferroelectric capacitor(s) is interposed between the ferroelectric capacitor(s) and the further structure. The layer providing a barrier to oxygen flow may be an encapsulated barrier layer. Methods for forming ferroelectric integrated circuit devices, such as memory devices, are also provided.