Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method of forming a pattern structure, including forming an object layer on a substrate, and forming a hard mask on the object layer. A plasma reactive etching process is performed on the object layer using an etching gas including a fluorine containing gas and ammonia (NH3) gas together with oxygen gas to form a pattern. The oxygen gas is used for suppressing the removal of the hard mask during the etching process.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction element is provided. The magnetic tunnel junction element has first magnetic layer and second magnetic layer formed adjacent, e.g., on lower and upper portions of an insulating layer, respectively and each having a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, a magnetic field adjustment layer formed on the second magnetic layer and having a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and a bather layer formed between the magnetic field adjustment layer and the second magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer and the magnetic field adjustment layer are magnetically decoupled from each other.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including providing a substrate; forming an underlying layer on the substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the underlying layer; forming an opening in the sacrificial layer by patterning the sacrificial layer such that the opening exposes a predetermined region of the underlying layer; forming a mask layer in the opening; forming an oxide mask by partially or completely oxidizing the mask layer; removing the sacrificial layer; and etching the underlying layer using the oxide mask as an etch mask to form an underlying layer pattern.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic tunneling junction device including a fixed magnetic structure; a free magnetic structure; and a tunnel barrier between the fixed magnetic structure and the free magnetic structure, at least one of the fixed magnetic structure and the free magnetic structure including a perpendicular magnetization preserving layer, a magnetic layer between the perpendicular magnetization preserving layer and the tunnel barrier, and a perpendicular magnetization inducing layer between the perpendicular magnetization preserving layer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The magnetic memory device includes a free layer, a write element, and a read element. The write element changes the magnetization direction of the free layer, and the read element senses the magnetization direction of the free layer. Herein, the write element includes a current confinement layer having a width smaller than the minimum width of the free layer to locally increase the density of a current flowing through the write element.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetic tunnel junction structure includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction layer on a substrate. A mask pattern is formed on a region of the second magnetic layer. A magnetic tunnel junction layer pattern and a sidewall dielectric layer pattern on at least one sidewall of the magnetic tunnel junction layer pattern are formed by performing at least one etch process and at least one oxidation process multiple times. The at least one etch process may include a first etch process to etch a portion of the magnetic tunnel junction layer using an inert gas and the mask pattern to form a first etch product. The at least one oxidation process may include a first oxidation process to oxidize the first etch product attached on an etched side of the magnetic tunnel junction layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device may include an integrated circuit substrate, and a multi-bit memory cell on the integrated circuit substrate. The multi-bit memory cell may be configured to store a first bit of data by changing a first characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell and to store a second bit of data by changing a second characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell. Moreover, the first and second characteristics may be different. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A method for forming a minute pattern includes depositing a material layer on a semiconductor substrate having a conductive region, forming a first mask layer on the material layer, forming a recess region in the first mask layer, performing layer processing to form a first mask pattern in the recess region, and etching the material layer to form a material layer pattern.

Abstract: A Resistance based Random Access Memory (ReRAM) can include a sense amplifier circuit that includes a first input coupled to a bit line of a reference cell in a first block of the ReRAM responsive to a read operation to a second block.

Abstract: Methods of forming a resistive memory device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate including a conductive pattern, forming a contact hole in the insulation layer to expose the conductive pattern, forming a lower electrode in the contact hole, forming a variable resistive oxide layer in the contact hole on the lower electrode, forming a middle electrode in the contact hole on the variable resistive oxide layer, forming a buffer oxide layer on the middle electrode and the insulation layer, and forming an upper electrode on the buffer oxide layer. Related resistive memory devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method of forming a pattern structure, including forming an object layer on a substrate, and forming a hard mask on the object layer. A plasma reactive etching process is performed on the object layer using an etching gas including a fluorine containing gas and ammonia (NH3) gas together with oxygen gas to form a pattern. The oxygen gas is used for suppressing the removal of the hard mask during the etching process.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device is provided. The magnetic memory device includes an invariable pinning pattern and a variable pinning pattern on a substrate. A tunnel barrier pattern is interposed between the invariable pinning pattern and the variable pinning pattern, and the pinned pattern is interposed between the invariable pinning pattern and the tunnel barrier pattern. A storage free pattern is interposed between the tunnel barrier pattern and the variable pinning pattern, and a guide free pattern is interposed between the storage free pattern and the variable pinning pattern. A free reversing pattern is interposed between the storage and guide free patterns. The free reversing pattern reverses a magnetization direction of the storage free pattern and a magnetization direction of the guide free pattern in the opposite directions.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device has an oxidation barrier layer to protect against memory cell contamination or oxidation. In one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a molding layer disposed over semiconductor substrate, a phase-changeable material pattern, and an oxidation barrier of electrically insulative material. The molding layer has a protrusion at its upper portion. One portion of the phase-changeable material pattern overlies the protrusion of the molding layer, and another portion of the phase-changeable material pattern extends through the protrusion. The electrically insulative material of the oxidation barrier may cover the phase-changeable material pattern and/or extend along and cover the entire area at which the protrusion of the molding layer and the portion of the phase-change material pattern disposed on the protrusion adjoin.

Abstract: A Resistance based Random Access Memory (ReRAM) can include a sense amplifier circuit that includes a first input coupled to a bit line of a reference cell in a first block of the ReRAM responsive to a read operation to a second block.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device may include an integrated circuit substrate, and a multi-bit memory cell on the integrated circuit substrate. The multi-bit memory cell may be configured to store a first bit of data by changing a first characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell and to store a second bit of data by changing a second characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell. Moreover, the first and second characteristics may be different. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including providing a substrate; forming an underlying layer on the substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the underlying layer; forming an opening in the sacrificial layer by patterning the sacrificial layer such that the opening exposes a predetermined region of the underlying layer; forming a mask layer in the opening; forming an oxide mask by partially or completely oxidizing the mask layer; removing the sacrificial layer; and etching the underlying layer using the oxide mask as an etch mask to form an underlying layer pattern.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device may include an integrated circuit substrate, and a multi-bit memory cell on the integrated circuit substrate. The multi-bit memory cell may be configured to store a first bit of data by changing a first characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell and to store a second bit of data by changing a second characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell. Moreover, the first and second characteristics may be different. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a switching device capable of preventing a snake current. First, a transition metal oxide layer and a leakage control layer are alternately stacked on a substrate 1 to 20 times to form a varistor layer. The transition metal oxide layer is formed to contain an excessive transition metal compared to its stable state. The leakage control layer may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of a Mg layer, a Ta layer, an Al layer, a Zr layer, a Hf layer, a polysilicon layer, a conductive carbon group layer, and a Nb layer.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a resistive memory element. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and the resistive memory element disposed on the substrate. The resistive memory element has resistance states of a plurality of levels according to generation and dissipation of at least one platinum bridge therein.

Abstract: Methods of forming a resistive memory device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate including a conductive pattern, forming a contact hole in the insulation layer to expose the conductive pattern, forming a lower electrode in the contact hole, forming a variable resistive oxide layer in the contact hole on the lower electrode, forming a middle electrode in the contact hole on the variable resistive oxide layer, forming a buffer oxide layer on the middle electrode and the insulation layer, and forming an upper electrode on the buffer oxide layer. Related resistive memory devices are also disclosed.