Abstract: In an embodiment, a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and a first interlayer insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A hole penetrates the first interlayer insulating layer. A first and a second semiconductor pattern are sequentially stacked in a lower region of the hole. A cell electrode is provided on the second semiconductor pattern. The cell electrode has a lower surface than a top surface of the first interlayer insulating layer. A confined phase change material pattern fills the hole on the cell electrode. An upper electrode is disposed on the phase change material pattern. The phase change material pattern in the hole is self-aligned with the first and second semiconductor patterns by the hole. A method of fabricating the phase change memory device is also provided.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory device, with a highly integrated cell stricture, includes a mold insulating layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one conductive line is disposed on the mold insulating layer. Data storage elements self-aligned with the conductive line are interposed between the conductive line and the mold insulating layer. In this case, each of the data storage elements may include a resistor pattern and a barrier pattern, which are sequentially stacked, and the resistor pattern may be self-aligned with the barrier pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one phase-change pattern disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A planarized capping layer, a planarized protecting layer, and a planarized insulating layer are sequentially stacked to surround sidewalls of the at least one phase-change pattern. An interconnection layer pattern is disposed on the planarized capping layer, the planarized protecting layer, and the planarized insulating layer. The interconnection layer pattern is in contact with the phase-change pattern.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory cell includes a substrate having a first semiconductor region of first conductivity type (e.g., N-type) therein, which may define a portion of a word line within the substrate. An electrically insulating layer is provided on the substrate. The electrically insulating layer has an opening therein that extends opposite a recess in the first semiconductor region. A first insulating spacer is provided on a sidewall of the recess in the first semiconductor region. A diode is provided in the opening. The diode has a first terminal electrically coupled to a bottom of the recess in the first semiconductor region. A variable resistivity material region (e.g., phase-changeable material region) is also provided. The variable resistivity material region is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the diode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and a first interlayer insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A hole penetrates the first interlayer insulating layer. A first and a second semiconductor pattern are sequentially stacked in a lower region of the hole. A cell electrode is provided on the second semiconductor pattern. The cell electrode has a lower surface than a top surface of the first interlayer insulating layer. A confined phase change material pattern fills the hole on the cell electrode. An upper electrode is disposed on the phase change material pattern. The phase change material pattern in the hole is self-aligned with the first and second semiconductor patterns by the hole. A method of fabricating the phase change memory device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer on a substrate, a first electrode in the insulating layer having a first upper surface and a second upper surface, a second electrode in the insulating layer spaced apart from the first electrode by a first distance and having a third upper surface and a fourth upper surface, the third upper surface being disposed at a substantially same level as the first upper surface, and the fourth upper surface being disposed at a substantially same level as the second upper surface, a first phase change material pattern covering a part of the first upper surface of the first electrode, and a second phase change material pattern covering a part of the third upper surface of the second electrode, wherein an interface region between the second phase change pattern and the second electrode is spaced apart from an interface region between the first phase change pattern and the first electrode by a second distance greater than the first distance.

Abstract: Provided is a resistive memory device that can be integrated with a high integration density and method of forming the same.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in the contact hole and a stress buffer spacer is provided between the vertical diode and the insulating layer. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming an insulating layer on the conductive layer, forming a word line and isolation trenches by patterning the insulating layer and the conductive layer, forming an isolation layer that fills the isolation trenches, forming a cell contact hole in the insulating layer such that the cell contact hole is self-aligned with the word line and exposes the word line, and forming a cell diode in the cell contact hole.

Abstract: Methods of forming a fine pattern include forming an underlying layer on a substrate, forming preliminary hard mask patterns having a first pitch on the underlying layer, the preliminary hard mask patterns having a first width and being spaced apart from each other by a second width smaller than the first width. The underlying layer is etched using the preliminary hard mask patterns as etch masks to thereby form preliminary underlying patterns. The preliminary hard mask patterns are pulled back, thereby forming hard mask patterns on the preliminary underlying patterns. An overlayer is formed on the substrate exposing top surfaces of the hard mask patterns. The hard mask patterns and the preliminary underlying patterns disposed below the hard mask patterns are etched using the overlayer as an etch mask, thereby forming underlying patterns having a second pitch smaller than the first pitch, and the overlayer is removed.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices are provide having a vertical diode therein. The devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in lower region of the contact hole and a bottom electrode in the contact hole has a bottom surface on a top surface of the vertical diode. The bottom electrode is self-aligned with the vertical diode. A top surface area of the bottom electrode is less than a horizontal section area of the contact hole. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices and phase change memory cells are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device having a self-aligned electrode is provided. An interlayer insulating layer having a contact hole is formed on a substrate. A phase change pattern partially filling the contact hole is formed. A bit line which includes a bit extension self-aligned to the phase change pattern and crosses over the interlayer insulating layer is formed. The bit extension may extend in the contact hole on the phase change pattern. The bit extension contacts the phase change pattern.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices are provided having a vertical diode therein. The devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in a lower region of the contact hole and a bottom electrode in the contact hole has a bottom surface on a top surface of the vertical diode. The bottom electrode is self-aligned with the vertical diode. A top surface area of the bottom electrode is less than a horizontal section area of the contact hole. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices and phase change memory cells are also provided.

Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices having strapping contacts with an increased pitch are provided. The semiconductor memory devices include cell regions and strapping regions between adjacent cell regions in a first direction on a semiconductor substrate. Active patterns extend in the first direction throughout the cell regions and strapping regions and are spaced apart from one another in a second direction intersecting the first direction. First interconnection lines extend in the first direction throughout the cell regions and the strapping regions and are spaced apart from one another in the second direction while overlapping with the active patterns. Second interconnection lines extend in the second direction to intersect the active patterns and the first interconnection lines in the cell regions. The second interconnection lines are spaced apart from one another in the first direction. Memory cells are positioned at intersection portions of the first and second interconnection lines in the cell regions.

Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices having a system-on-chip (SOC) configuration that combines both a capacitor-based cell-array memory region and one or more MOS core/peripheral circuit/logic regions on a single chip and a method for manufacturing such devices. The manufacturing process reduces the number of additional photolithographic processes required and modifies the relationship between the sizing of various layers and/or structures to reduce the fabrication cost and improve the reliability of the resulting devices. In particular, the capacitors for the memory region are formed in the same insulating layer as the first metal pattern for the core/peripheral circuit/logic regions of the devices, thereby producing capacitors and metal patterns of substantially the same height and thickness respectively. A landing structure may also be formed in the cell array region in combination with the first metal pattern for improving the contact process in the cell array region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming an insulating layer on the conductive layer, forming a word line and isolation trenches by patterning the insulating layer and the conductive layer, forming an isolation layer that fills the isolation trenches, forming a cell contact hole in the insulating layer such that the cell contact hole is self-aligned with the word line and exposes the word line, and forming a cell diode in the cell contact hole.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory cell includes a substrate having a first semiconductor region of first conductivity type (e.g., N-type) therein, which may define a portion of a word line within the substrate. An electrically insulating layer is provided on the substrate. The electrically insulating layer has an opening therein that extends opposite a recess in the first semiconductor region. A first insulating spacer is provided on a sidewall of the recess in the first semiconductor region. A diode is provided in the opening. The diode has a first terminal electrically coupled to a bottom of the recess in the first semiconductor region. A variable resistivity material region (e.g., phase-changeable material region) is also provided. The variable resistivity material region is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the diode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device such as a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region, a conductive pattern disposed to expose the active region, an interlayer dielectric pattern provided on the conductive pattern and including an opening formed on the exposed active region and a contact hole spaced apart from the opening to expose the conductive pattern, a semiconductor pattern and a heater electrode pattern electrically connected to the exposed active region and provided in the opening, a contact plug connected to the exposed conductive pattern and provided to fill the contact hole, and a phase change material layer provided on the heater electrode pattern.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory device, with a highly integrated cell stricture, includes a mold insulating layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one conductive line is disposed on the mold insulating layer. Data storage elements self-aligned with the conductive line are interposed between the conductive line and the mold insulating layer. In this case, each of the data storage elements may include a resistor pattern and a barrier pattern, which are sequentially stacked, and the resistor pattern may be self-aligned with the barrier pattern.

Abstract: Capacitors for semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating such capacitors are provided The disclosed capacitor comprises an interlayer dielectric layer (ILD) pattern having an opening exposing a portion of the underlying semiconductor substrate, a silicide pattern formed on the exposed substrate, and a lower electrode covering an inner wall and bottom of the opening. A dielectric layer is formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode is disposed on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer preferably comprises a high k-dielectric layer such as tantalum oxide. The disclosed method comprises forming an ILD pattern with an opening that exposes a portion of a semiconductor substrate forming an optional silicide pattern on the exposed substrate, forming a lower electrode on the inner wall of the opening and sequentially forming a dielectric layer and an upper electrode on the resulting structure.