Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a magnetic random access memory device including a memory cell having a magnetic tunnel junction structure on a substrate. In particular, a writing current pulse may be provided through the magnetic tunnel junction structure, and a writing magnetic field pulse may be provided through the magnetic tunnel junction structure. In addition, at least a portion of the writing magnetic field pulse may be overlapping in time with respect to at least a portion of the writing current pulse, and at least a portion of the writing current pulse and/or at least a portion of the writing magnetic field pulse may be non-overlapping in time with respect to the other. Related devices are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a magnetic random access memory device including a memory cell having a magnetic tunnel junction structure on a substrate. In particular, a writing current pulse may be provided through the magnetic tunnel junction structure, and a writing magnetic field pulse may be provided through the magnetic tunnel junction structure. In addition, at least a portion of the writing magnetic field pulse may be overlapping in time with respect to at least a portion of the writing current pulse, and at least a portion of the writing current pulse and/or at least a portion of the writing magnetic field pulse may be non-overlapping in time with respect to the other. Related devices are also discussed.

Abstract: Magnetic RAM cells have split sub-digit lines surrounded by cladding layers and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The magnetic RAM cells include first and second sub-digit lines formed over a semiconductor substrate. Only a bottom surface and an outer sidewall of the first sub-digit line are covered with a first cladding layer pattern. In addition, only a bottom surface and an outer sidewall of the second sub-digit line are covered with a second cladding layer pattern. The outer sidewall of the first sub-digit line is located distal from the second sub-digit line and the outer sidewall of the second sub-digit line is located distal the first sub-digit line. Methods of fabricating the magnetic RAM cells are also provided.

Abstract: A phase changeable random access memory (PRAM) and methods for manufacturing the same. An example unit cell of a non-volatile memory, such as a PRAM, includes a MOS transistor, connected to an address line and a data line, where the MOS transistor receives a voltage from the data line. The unit cell further includes a phase change material for changing phase depending on heat generated by the voltage and a top electrode, connected to a substantially ground voltage.

Abstract: A conductive portion connects a lower conductive layer formed on a semiconductor substrate provided in a first interlayer insulating layer to an upper conductive layer formed on the lower conductive layer, and provided in a second interlayer insulating layer. This portion is divided into at least one plug and a pad. At least one plug is formed in a first interlayer insulating layer and the lower part of a second interlayer insulating layer. The second interlayer insulating layer is divided into a plurality of interlayer insulating layers so that upper and lower widths of the divided plugs formed in the divided portion of the second interlayer insulating layer are not greatly different from each other. The pad formed on the upper portion of the second interlayer insulating layer has an upper width such that the upper conductive layer connected to the pad is not undesirably connected to an adjacent upper conductive layer via the pad.

Abstract: A conductive portion connects a lower conductive layer formed on a semiconductor substrate provided in a first interlayer insulating layer to an upper conductive layer formed on the lower conductive layer, and provided in a second interlayer insulating layer. This portion is divided into at least one plug and a pad. At least one plug is formed in a first interlayer insulating layer and the lower part of a second interlayer insulating layer. The second interlayer insulating layer is divided into a plurality of interlayer insulating layers so that upper and lower widths of the divided plugs formed in the divided portion of the second interlayer insulating layer are not greatly different from each other. The pad formed on the upper portion of the second interlayer insulating layer has an upper width such that the upper conductive layer connected to the pad is not undesirably connected to an adjacent upper conductive layer via the pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof include a semiconductor substrate, an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a first contact stud formed in the ILD layer, having a width of an entrance portion adjacent to the surface of the ILD layer larger than the width of a contacting portion adjacent to the semiconductor substrate, and a second contact stud spaced apart from the first contact stud and formed in the ILD layer. The semiconductor device further includes a landing pad formed on the ILD layer to contact the surface of the second contact stud, having a width larger than that of the second contact stud. The second contact stud has a width of a contacting portion that is the same as that of an entrance portion. Also, at least one spacer comprising an etch stopper material is formed on the sidewalls of the landing pad and the etch stopper is formed on the landing pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof include a semiconductor substrate, an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a first contact stud formed in the ILD layer, having a line width of an entrance portion adjacent to the surface of the ILD layer larger than the line width of a contacting portion adjacent to the semiconductor substrate, and a second contact stud spaced apart from the first contact stud and formed in the ILD layer. The semiconductor device further includes a landing pad formed on the ILD layer to contact the surface of the second contact stud, having a line width larger than that of the second contact stud. The second contact stud has a line width of a contacting portion that is the same as that of an entrance portion. Also, at least one spacer comprising an etch stopper material is formed on the sidewalls of the landing pad and the etch stopper is formed on the landing pad.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of gate structures including gate electrodes and insulating layers covering the gate electrodes are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Impurity ions at a low dose for forming a source/drain region are implanted into the semiconductor substrate, using the gate structures as a mask. First insulating spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the gate structures and second insulating spacers are formed on the first insulating spacers. Thereafter, impurity ions at a high dose are implanted into the semiconductor substrate, using the first and second insulating spacers as a mask. Then, the second insulating spacers are removed. Therefore, contact resistance and characteristics of the transistors can be improved by adjusting an effective channel length and contact areas.

Abstract: An etch-stop layer is selectively provided between layers of a multiple-layered circuit in a selective manner so as to allow for outgassing of impurities during subsequent fabrication processes. The etch-stop layer is formed over an underlying stud so as to serve as an alignment target during formation of an overlying stud formed in an upper layer. In this manner multiple-layered circuits, for example memory devices, can be fabricated in relatively dense configurations.

Abstract: An etch-stop layer is selectively provided between layers of a multiple-layered circuit in a selective manner so as to allow for outgassing of impurities during subsequent fabrication processes. The etch-stop layer is formed over an underlying stud so as to serve as an alignment target during formation of an overlying stud formed in an upper layer. In this manner multiple-layered circuits, for example memory devices, can be fabricated in relatively dense configurations.

Abstract: An etch-stop layer is selectively provided between layers of a multiple-layered circuit in a selective manner so as to allow for outgassing of impurities during subsequent fabrication processes. The etch-stop layer is formed over an underlying stud so as to serve as an alignment target during formation of an overlying stud formed in an upper layer. In this manner multiple-layered circuits, for example memory devices, can be fabricated in relatively dense configurations.

Abstract: Methods of forming a spin-on-glass (SOG) layer are disclosed. An SOG layer is formed on an integrated circuit substrate. A first curing process is performed on the SOG layer. Less than all of the SOG layer is removed from the integrated circuit substrate through a mask pattern on the SOG layer to provide a remaining portion of the SOG layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A second curing process is performed on the SOG layer. The remaining portion of the SOG layer is removed to expose the integrated circuit substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including storage nodes of a capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. Bit lines are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and protection layers are formed to cover and protect the bit lines. Conductive contact pads are formed between the bit lines and are level with the top surfaces of the protection layers. A node supporting layer is formed to cover the conductive contact pads and the protection layers. An etching stopper is formed on the node supporting layer. The mold layer, the etching stopper, and the node supporting layer are patterned, thereby forming opening holes exposing the conductive pads. Storage nodes are formed in the opening holes and have the shape of the profile of the opening holes. The mold layer exposed by the storage nodes is removed, thereby exposing the outer wall of each of the storage nodes positioned above the etching stopper.

Abstract: An etch-stop layer is selectively provided between layers of a multiple-layered circuit in a selective manner so as to allow for outgassing of impurities during subsequent fabrication processes. The etch-stop layer is formed over an underlying stud so as to serve as an alignment target during formation of an overlying stud formed in an upper layer. In this manner multiple-layered circuits, for example memory devices, can be fabricated in relatively dense configurations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of gate structures including gate electrodes and insulating layers covering the gate electrodes are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Impurity ions at a low dose for forming a source/drain region are implanted into the semiconductor substrate, using the gate structures as a mask. First insulating spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the gate structures and second insulating spacers are formed on the first insulating spacers. Thereafter, impurity ions at a high dose are implanted into the semiconductor substrate, using the first and second insulating spacers as a mask. Then, the second insulating spacers are removed. Therefore, contact resistance and characteristics of the transistors can be improved by adjusting an effective channel length and contact areas.

Abstract: An etch-stop layer is selectively provided between layers of a multiple-layered circuit in a selective manner so as to allow for outgassing of impurities during subsequent fabrication processes. The etch-stop layer is formed over an underlying stud so as to serve as an alignment target during formation of an overlying stud formed in an upper layer. In this manner multiple-layered circuits, for example memory devices, can be fabricated in relatively dense configurations.

Abstract: An etch-stop layer is selectively provided between layers of a multiple-layered circuit in a selective manner so as to allow for outgassing of impurities during subsequent fabrication processes. The etch-stop layer is formed over an underlying stud so as to serve as an alignment target during formation of an overlying stud formed in an upper layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including storage nodes of a capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. Bit lines are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and protection layers are formed to cover and protect the bit lines. Conductive contact pads are formed between the bit lines and are level with the top surfaces of the protection layers. A node supporting layer is formed to cover the conductive contact pads and the protection layers. An etching stopper is formed on the node supporting layer. The mold layer, the etching stopper, and the node supporting layer are patterned, thereby forming opening holes exposing the conductive pads. Storage nodes are formed in the opening holes and have the shape of the profile of the opening holes. The mold layer exposed by the storage nodes is removed, thereby exposing the outer wall of each of the storage nodes positioned above the etching stopper.

Abstract: A conductive portion connects a lower conductive layer formed on a semiconductor substrate provided in a first interlayer insulating layer to an upper conductive layer formed on the lower conductive layer, and provided in a second interlayer insulating layer. This portion is divided into at least one plug and a pad. At least one plug is formed in a first interlayer insulating layer and the lower part of a second interlayer insulating layer. The second interlayer insulating layer is divided into a plurality of interlayer insulating layers so that upper and lower widths of the divided plugs formed in the divided portion of the second interlayer insulating layer are not greatly different from each other. The pad formed on the upper portion of the second interlayer insulating layer has an upper width such that the upper conductive layer connected to the pad is not undesirably connected to an adjacent upper conductive layer via the pad.