Patents by Inventor Hideaki Aochi

Hideaki Aochi 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).

  • Patent number: 8811056
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a memory array provided on a substrate, and a control circuit provided on a surface of the substrate between the substrate and the memory array, includes steps of forming, in an insulating layer covering a p-type semiconductor region and an n-type semiconductor region of the control circuit, a first contact hole communicating with the p-type semiconductor region; forming a contact plug, in contact with the p-type semiconductor region, within the first contact hole; forming, in the insulating layer, a second contact hole communicating with the n-type semiconductor region; and forming an interconnection contacting the contact plug and the n-type semiconductor region exposed within the second contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Takeshi Imamura, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20140217493
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings to each of which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are connected in series. Each of the memory strings includes first semiconductor layers each having a pair of columnar portions extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate and a coupling portion formed to couple the lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions; and first conductive layers formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer. The first conductive layers function as gate electrodes of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Ryota KATSUMATA, Masaru KIDOH, Masaru KITO, Hiroyasu TANAKA, Yosuke KOMORI, Megumi ISHIDUKI, Hideaki AOCHI
  • Patent number: 8791464
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked structure, a semiconductor pillar, a memory layer and an outer insulating film. The stacked structure includes a plurality of electrode films and a plurality of interelectrode insulating films alternately stacked in a first direction. The semiconductor pillar pierces the stacked structure in the first direction. The memory layer is provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar. The outer insulating film is provided between the electrode films and the memory layer. The device includes a first region and a second region. An outer diameter of the outer insulating film along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the first region is larger than that in the second region. A thickness of the outer insulating film along the second direction in the first region is thicker than that in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoko Fujiwara, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Hideaki Aochi, Ryouhei Kirisawa, Yoshimasa Mikajiri, Shigeto Oota
  • Patent number: 8766351
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a columnar semiconductor, a floating gate electrode formed on a side surface of the columnar semiconductor via a tunnel dielectric film, and a control gate electrode formed to surround the floating gate electrode via a block dielectric film are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Imamura, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi, Masaru Kito, Tomoko Fujiwara, Kaori Kawasaki, Ryouhei Kirisawa
  • Patent number: 8767452
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body, a semiconductor pillar, a charge storage layer, a tunneling layer, a dividing trench and a first heating unit. The stacked body includes a plurality of first insulating films stacked alternately with a plurality of electrode films. The semiconductor pillar pierces the stacked body. The charge storage layer is provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar. The tunneling layer is provided between the charge storage layer and the semiconductor pillar. The dividing trench is provided between the semiconductor pillars in one direction orthogonal to a stacking direction of the stacked body to divide the electrode films. The first heating unit is provided in an interior of the dividing trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kito, Tomoko Fujiwara, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8760924
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a first semiconductor layer, and a first conductive layer. The first semiconductor layer extends in a perpendicular direction with respect to a semiconductor substrate. The first conductive layer sandwiches a charge storage layer with the first semiconductor layer. A control circuit executes a first program operation and then executes a second program operation. The first program operation supplies a first voltage to the body of the memory cell and supplies a second voltage larger than the first voltage to the gate of the memory cell. The second program operation renders the body of the memory cell in a floating state and supplies a third voltage which is positive to the gate of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hitoshi Iwai, Tomoko Fujiwara, Hideaki Aochi, Masaru Kito
  • Patent number: 8748971
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a stacked body provided on the semiconductor substrate, the stacked body having electrode films and insulating films being alternately stacked; a first and second semiconductor pillars; and a first and second charge storage layers. The first and second semiconductor pillars are provided inside a through hole penetrating through the stacked body in a stacking direction of the stacked body. The through hole has a cross section of an oblate circle, when cutting in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. The first and second semiconductor pillars face each other in a major axis direction of the first oblate circle. The first and second semiconductor pillars extend in the stacking direction. The first and second charge storage layers are provided between the electrode film and the first and second semiconductor pillars, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Hideaki Aochi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kidoh, Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Tomoko Fujiwara, Junya Matsunami, Ryouhei Kirisawa
  • Patent number: 8743584
    Abstract: A shift register memory according to the present embodiment includes a magnetic pillar including a plurality of magnetic layers and a plurality of nonmagnetic layers provided between the magnetic layers adjacent to each other. A stress application part applies a stress to the magnetic pillar. A magnetic-field application part applies a static magnetic field to the magnetic pillar. The stress application part applies the stress to the magnetic pillar in order to transfer magnetization states of the magnetic layers in a stacking direction of the magnetic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20140140126
    Abstract: A magnetic storage element includes a magnetic nanowire. A cross-section of the magnetic nanowire has first and second visible outlines, the first visible outline has a first minimal point at which a distance from a virtual straight line becomes minimal, a second minimal point at which the distance from the virtual straight line becomes minimal, and a first maximal point at which the distance from the virtual straight line becomes longest between the first minimal point and the second minimal point, and an angle between a first straight line connecting the first minimal point and the second minimal point, and one of a second straight line connecting the first minimal point and the first maximal point and a third straight line connecting the second minimal point and the first maximal point is not smaller than four degrees and not larger than 30 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hirofumi MORISE, Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Tsuyoshi KONDO, Shiho NAKAMURA, Hideaki AOCHI
  • Patent number: 8728919
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory strings each having a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series. Each of the memory strings comprising: a first semiconductor layer including a columnar portion extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate; a plurality of first conductive layers formed to surround side surfaces of the columnar portions via insulation layers, and formed at a certain pitch in the vertical direction, the first conductive layers functioning as floating gates of the memory cells; and a plurality of second conductive layers formed to surround the first conductive layers via insulation layers, and functioning as control electrodes of the memory cells. Each of the first conductive layers has a length in the vertical direction that is shorter than a length in the vertical direction of each of the second conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Masaru Kidoh, Megumi Ishiduki, Yosuke Komori, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Ryota Katsumata, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8729624
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings to each of which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are connected in series. Each of the memory strings includes first semiconductor layers each having a pair of columnar portions extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate and a coupling portion formed to couple the lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions; and first conductive layers formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer. The first conductive layers function as gate electrodes of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kidoh, Masaru Kito, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20140124850
    Abstract: The semiconductor memory device of the present invention includes a plurality of memory strings having a plurality of electrically reprogrammable memory cells connected in series, the memory strings having a column shaped semiconductor, a first insulation film formed around the column shaped semiconductor, a charge accumulation layer formed around the first insulation film, a second insulation film formed around the charge accumulation film and a plurality of electrodes formed around the second insulation film, a bit line connected to one end of the memory strings via a plurality of selection transistors, and a conducting layer extending in two dimensions and in which the plurality of electrodes of the memory strings and the plurality of electrodes of different memory strings are shared respectively, wherein each end part of the conducting layer is formed in step shapes in a direction parallel with the bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyasu TANAKA, Ryota KATSUMATA, Hideaki AOCHI, Masaru KIDO, Masaru KITO, Mitsuru SATO
  • Publication number: 20140117434
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, includes: a stacked structural unit including a plurality of insulating films alternately stacked with a plurality of electrode films in a first direction; a selection gate electrode stacked on the stacked structural unit in the first direction; an insulating layer stacked on the selection gate electrode in the first direction; a first semiconductor pillar piercing the stacked structural unit, the selection gate electrode, and the insulating layer in the first direction, a first cross section of the first semiconductor pillar having an annular configuration, the first cross section being cut in a plane orthogonal to the first direction; a first core unit buried in an inner side of the first semiconductor pillar, the first core unit being recessed from an upper face of the insulating layer; and a first conducting layer of the first semiconductor pillar provided on the first core unit to contact the first core unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Junya Matsunami, Tomoko Fujiwara, Hideaki Aochi, Ryouhei Kirisawa, Yoshimasa Mikajiri, Shigeto Oota
  • Publication number: 20140104941
    Abstract: A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes: a magnetic nanowire; first insulating layers provided on a first surface of the magnetic nanowire, each of the first insulating layers having a first and second end faces, a thickness of the first insulating layer over the first end face being thicker than a thickness of the first insulating layer over the second end face; first electrodes on surfaces of the first insulating layers opposite to the first surface; second insulating layers on the second surface of the magnetic nanowire, each of the second insulating layers having a third and fourth end faces, a thickness of the second insulating layer over the third surface being thicker than a thickness of the second insulating layer over the fourth end face; and second electrodes on surfaces of the second insulating layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi KONDO, Hirofumi MORISE, Shiho NAKAMURA, Takuya SHIMADA, Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Hideaki AOCHI
  • Publication number: 20140097485
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first stacked structure body, a first semiconductor layer, a first organic film, a first semiconductor-side insulating film, and a first electrode-side insulating film. The first stacked structure body includes a plurality of first electrode films stacked along a first direction and a first inter-electrode insulating film provided between the first electrode films. The first semiconductor layer is opposed to side faces of the first electrode films. The first organic film is provided between the side faces of the first electrode films and the first semiconductor layer and containing an organic compound. The first semiconductor-side insulating film is provided between the first organic film and the first semiconductor layer. The first electrode-side insulating film provided between the first organic film and the side faces of the first electrode films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shigeki HATTORI, Reika ICHIHARA, Masaya TERAI, Hideyuki NISHIZAWA, Tsukasa TADA, Koji ASAKAWA, Hiroyuki FUKE, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Hideaki AOCHI
  • Publication number: 20140085976
    Abstract: This nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a transistor string formed on a substrate and including a plurality of first transistors connected in series with each other. A first bit line is connected to a first end of the transistor string. A source line is connected to a second end of the transistor string. A memory string extends in a direction perpendicular to the substrate and comprises a plurality of nonvolatile memory transistors and a select transistor connected in series. Moreover, a part of the memory string is connected to a gate of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Jun FUJIKI, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20140063893
    Abstract: A shift register type magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes: a magnetic nanowire; a magnetic material chain provided in close vicinity to the magnetic nanowire, the magnetic material chain including a plurality of disk-shaped ferromagnetic films arranged along a direction in which the magnetic nanowire extends; a magnetization rotation drive unit configured to rotate and drive magnetization of the plurality of ferromagnetic films; a writing unit configured to write magnetic information into the magnetic nanowire; and a reading unit configured to read magnetic information from the magnetic nanowire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8659070
    Abstract: The semiconductor memory device of the present invention includes a plurality of memory strings having a plurality of electrically reprogrammable memory cells connected in series, the memory strings having a column shaped semiconductor, a first insulation film formed around the column shaped semiconductor, a charge accumulation layer formed around the first insulation film, a second insulation film formed around the charge accumulation film and a plurality of electrodes formed around the second insulation film, a bit line connected to one end of the memory strings via a plurality of selection transistors, and a conducting layer extending in two dimensions and in which the plurality of electrodes of the memory strings and the plurality of electrodes of different memory strings are shared respectively, wherein each end part of the conducting layer is formed in step shapes in a direction parallel with the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Ryota Katsumata, Hideaki Aochi, Masaru Kido, Masaru Kito, Mitsuru Sato
  • Publication number: 20140050032
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a dielectric film configured to store information depending on presence or absence of a conductive path therein, and a plurality of electrodes provided to contact a first surface of the dielectric film. The conductive path can be formed between two electrodes arbitrarily selected form the plurality of electrodes. The conductive path has a rectifying property of allowing a current to flow more easily in a first direction connecting arbitrary two electrodes than in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The largest possible number of the conductive paths that may be formed is larger than the number of the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8653577
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a stacked body in which insulating films and electrode films are alternately stacked; selection gate electrodes provided on the stacked body; bit lines provided on the selection gate electrodes; semiconductor pillars; connective members separated from one another; and a charge storage layer provided between the electrode film and the semiconductor pillar. One of the connective members is connected between a lower part of one of the semiconductor pillars and a lower part of another of the semiconductor pillars. The one of the semiconductor pillars passes through one of the selection gate electrodes and is connected to one of the bit lines, and the another of the semiconductor pillars passes through another of the selection gate electrodes and is connected to another of the bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Masaru Kito, Hideaki Aochi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kidoh