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.

Abstract: Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, ferroelectric memory devices are provided which comprise a transistor that is provided on an active region in a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitor that has a bottom electrode, a capacitor-ferroelectric layer and a top electrode. These devices may further include at least one planarizing layer that is adjacent to the side surfaces of the bottom electrode such that the top surface of the planarizing layer(s) and the top surface of the bottom electrode form a planar surface. The capacitor-ferroelectric may be formed on this planar surface. The device may also include a plug that electrically connects the bottom electrode to a source-drain region of the transistor. The ferroelectric memory devices according to embodiments of the present invention may reduce ferroelectric degradation of the capacitor.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device includes a phase-change memory cell having a volume of material which is programmable between amorphous and crystalline states. A write current source selectively applies a first write current pulse to program the phase-change memory cell into the amorphous state and a second write current pulse to program the phase-change memory cell into the crystalline state. The phase-change memory device further includes a restore circuit which selectively applies the first current pulse to the phase-change memory cell to restore at least an amorphous state of the phase-change memory cell.

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: A phase change memory device includes a mold layer disposed on a substrate, a heating electrode, a filling insulation pattern and a phase change material pattern. The heating electrode is disposed in an opening exposing the substrate through the mold layer. The heating electrode is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, having its sidewalls conformally disposed on the lower inner walls of the opening. The filling insulation pattern fills an empty region surrounded by the sidewalls of the heating electrode. The phase change material pattern is disposed on the mold layer and downwardly extended to fill the empty part of the opening. The phase change material pattern contacts the top surfaces of the sidewalls of the heating electrode.

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: 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.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, e.g., a memory device, includes a substrate, and a plurality of rows of active regions in the substrate, the active regions arranged in a staggered pattern such that active regions of a first row are aligned with portions of an isolation region separating active regions of an adjacent second row. Source and drain regions are in the active regions and are arranged such that each active region comprises a drain region disposed between two source regions. A plurality of word line structures are on the substrate, arranged transverse to the rows of active regions such that that word line structures cross the active regions between the source regions and the drain regions. Respective rows of conductive pads are disposed between respective adjacent word lines structures, including first conductive pads on the source regions, second conductive pads on the drain regions, and third conductive on isolation regions separating active regions.

Abstract: Particles in a glass substrate are measured by executing following steps: sequentially conveying a plurality of glass substrates; scanning with a camera a unit area of a glass substrate in a direction of a travel path of the glass substrate and storing particle information thereof; shifting the camera to a position corresponding to a next unit area for a succeeding glass substrate; storing information on the particles in the unit area of the succeeding glass substrate obtained by scanning the glass substrate; estimating whether a sum of the respective scanned unit areas is within an allowed limit of an area of a glass substrate; and returning to the third step if an answer from the fifth step is “No” or storing information on the particles in the entire glass substrate if the answer is “Yes”.

Abstract: Methods of forming an integrated circuit device may include forming first and second spaced apart source/drain regions on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. A gate insulating layer can be formed on the semiconductor substrate extending between the first and second spaced apart souce/drain regions. The gate insulating layer can have a reduced thickness at a central portion thereof between the first and second spaced apart source/drain regions. A thickness of the gate insulating layer can increase as it extends toward each of the source/drain regions. A gate electrode can be formed on the gate insulating layer such that the gate insulating layer is between the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode. Related devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A ferroelectric random access memory device including a pulse generator circuit capable of generating a pulse signal in response to an address transition. A chip enable buffer circuit activates a chip enable flag signal in response to a first transition of the pulse signal. A row selector circuit selects and drives one of the rows in response to the address. The row selector circuit also generates a flag signal indicating a selection of a plate line. A control circuit activates a plate control signal in response to the activation of a write enable signal, and deactivates the plate control signal in response to a second transition of the pulse signal. A plate line of a selected row is re-activated according to activation of the plate control signal and is deactivated according to deactivation of the plate control signal.

Abstract: A memory cell array block has unit memory cells comprised of pairs of memory cells, each of have a memory cell and a complementary memory cell. A second unit memory cell is interleaved with the first unit memory cell, a fourth unit memory cell is interleaved with a third unit memory cell. First and second sense amplifiers are disposed over and under the array block, respectively. The first switch connects bitlines coupled to the first unit memory cell with the first sense amplifier and connects bitlines coupled to the second unit memory cell with the second sense amplifier. The second switch connects bitlines coupled to the third unit memory cell with the first sense amplifier and connects bitlines coupled to the fourth unit memory cell with the second sense amplifier. A selected unit memory cell is selectively connected with a sense amplifier, decreasing the number of sense amplifiers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, e.g., a memory device, includes a substrate, and a plurality of rows of active regions in the substrate, the active regions arranged in a staggered pattern such that active regions of a first row are aligned with portions of an isolation region separating active regions of an adjacent second row. Source and drain regions are in the active regions and are arranged such that each active region comprises a drain region disposed between two source regions. A plurality of word line structures are on the substrate, arranged transverse to the rows of active regions such that that word line structures cross the active regions between the source regions and the drain regions. Respective rows of conductive pads are disposed between respective adjacent word lines structures, including first conductive pads on the source regions, second conductive pads on the drain regions, and third conductive on isolation regions separating active regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, transistors of a semiconductor device have a punchthrough protection layer, and methods of forming the same are provided. A channel-portion hole extends downward from a main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A punchthrough protection layer and a channel-portion layer are sequentially formed at a lower portion of the channel-portion hole. A word line pattern fills an upper portion of the channel-portion hole, and is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The word line pattern is formed to have a word line and a word line capping layer pattern stacked thereon, and the channel-portion layer is a channel region. The punchthrough protection layer can reduce a leakage current of a capacitor of the transistor embodied in a DRAM.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triple metal line 1T/1C ferroelectric memory device and a method to make the same. A ferroelectric capacitor is connected to the transistor through a buried contact plug. An oxidation barrier layer lies between the contact plug and the lower electrode of the capacitor. A diffusion barrier layer covers the ferroelectric capacitor to prevent diffusion of material into or out of capacitor. As a result of forming the oxidation barrier layer, the contact plug is not exposed to the ambient oxygen atmosphere thereby providing a reliable ohmic contact between the contact plug and the lower electrode. Also, the memory device provides a triple interconnection structure made of metal, which improves device operation characteristics.

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: Methods for forming an electronic device can include forming a capacitor structure on a portion of a substrate with the capacitor structure including a first electrode on the substrate, a capacitor dielectric on the first electrode, a second electrode on the dielectric, and a hard mask on the second electrode. More particularly, the capacitor dielectric can be between the first and second electrodes, the first electrode and the capacitor dielectric can be between the second electrode and the substrate, and the first and second electrodes and the capacitor dielectric can be between the hard mask and the substrate. An interlayer dielectric layer can be formed on the hard mask and on portions of the substrate surrounding the capacitor structure, and portions of the interlayer dielectric layer can be removed to expose the hard mask while maintaining portions of the interlayer dielectric layer on portions of the substrate surrounding the capacitor structure.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and semiconductor devices manufactured thereby, are provided. A field region is formed that defines active regions in a semiconductor substrate. Spaced apart gates are formed on the active regions in the semiconductor substrate. The gates have sidewalls that extend away from the semiconductor substrate. First spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the gates. Second spacers are formed on the first spacers and opposite to the gates. Ion impurities are implanted into the active regions in the semiconductor substrate, adjacent to the gates, using the first and second spacers as an ion implantation mask. A portion of the second spacers is removed to widen the gaps between the gates. A dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate in the gaps between the gates.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device and a method for manufacturing the same. The ferroelectric memory device comprises a lower interlayer insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate. The ferroelectric memory device further comprises at least two adjacent ferroelectric capacitors disposed on the lower interlayer insulating layer, an interlayer insulation layer formed over the ferroelectric capacitors, leaving a top surface of the ferroelectric capacitors exposed, a patterned via etch-stop layer formed on the interlayer insulation layer, leaving the top surface of the capacitors exposed, an upper interlayer insulating layer formed on the patterned via etch-stop layer, and a plate line commonly connected to the at least two adjacent ferroelectric capacitors. Thus, integration of the ferroelectric memory device can be substantially increased.