Patents by Inventor Kun Lai

Kun Lai 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: 9136277
    Abstract: A three dimensional stacked semiconductor structure comprises a stack including plural oxide layers and conductive layers arranged alternately, at least a contact hole formed vertically to the oxide layers and the conductive layers, and extending to one of the conductive layers, an insulator formed at the sidewall of the contact hole, a conductor formed in the contact hole and connecting the corresponding conductive layer, and the corresponding conductive layer comprises a silicide. The silicide could be formed at edges or an entire body of the corresponding conductive layer. Besides the silicide, the corresponding conductive layer could, partially or completely, further comprise a conductive material connected to the conductor. The corresponding conductive layer which the contact hole extends to has higher conductivity than other conductive layers. Also, the 3D stacked semiconductor structure could be applied to a fan-out region of a 3D flash memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Patent number: 9123579
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack structure and a transistor. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. The stack structure is formed over the substrate in the first region. The transistor structure has a gate formed in the second region. A bottom portion of the gate structure is disposed at a height from the substrate that is less than a height between the substrate and a bottom portion of the stack structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Chia-Jung Chiu, Chieh Lo
  • Patent number: 9123778
    Abstract: For certain three dimensionally stacked memory devices, bit lines or word lines for memory cells are stacked in spaced apart ridge like structures arranged to extend in a first direction. In such structures, complementary wordlines or bit lines, can be damascene features between the spaced apart. The damascene conductors can be formed using double patterned masks to etch sub-lithographic sacrificial lines, forming a fill over the sacrificial lines, and then removing the sacrificial lines to leave trenches that act as the damascene molds in the fill. Then the trenches are filled with the conductor material. The 3D memory array can include dielectric charge trapping memory cells, which have a high-K blocking dielectric layer, and in which the conductor material comprises a high work function material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih, Guanru Lee
  • Patent number: 9117526
    Abstract: A memory includes a doped substrate well, a substrate connector coupled to the doped substrate well, and a set of interlayer connectors insulated from the doped substrate well. A series arrangement including a plurality of memory cells is coupled on a first end by a first switch to a bit line and coupled on a second end by a second switch to a source line contact pad. The source line contact pad is connected to the substrate connector and to at least one of the interlayer connectors in the set of interlayer connectors. A supply line is connected to the set of interlayer connectors. A plurality of word lines is coupled to the plurality of memory cells. Circuitry is coupled to the supply line and to the doped substrate well and configured to bias the supply line and the doped substrate well with different bias conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9093502
    Abstract: The present invention further provides a string select line (SSL) of a three-dimensional memory array, including: a dielectric substrate; an SSL structure disposed on the dielectric substrate, wherein the SSL structure includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of first conductive layers, the dielectric layers and the first conductive layers stacked alternatively; a second conductive layer covering sidewalls and a top portion of the SSL structure; and an oxide layer disposed between the first conductive layers and the second conductive layer, and contacting with the first conductive layers and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20150194481
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a stacked strip structure, and a tensile material strip. The stacked strip structure is formed vertically on the substrate, the stacked strip structure having compressive stress. The stacked strip structure comprises a plurality of conductive strips and a plurality of insulating strips, and the conductive strips and the insulating strips are interlaced. The tensile material strip is formed on the stacked strip structure, the tensile material strip having tensile stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Guan-Ru Lee, An-Chyi Wei, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 9076964
    Abstract: A bistable resistance random access memory is described for enhancing the data retention in a resistance random access memory member. A dielectric member, e.g. the bottom dielectric member, underlies the resistance random access memory member which improves the SET/RESET window in the retention of information. The deposition of the bottom dielectric member is carried out by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition or by high-density-plasma chemical vapor deposition. One suitable material for constructing the bottom dielectric member is a silicon oxide. The bistable resistance random access memory includes a bottom dielectric member disposed between a resistance random access member and a bottom electrode or bottom contact plug. Additional layers including a bit line, a top contact plug, and a top electrode disposed over the top surface of the resistance random access memory member. Sides of the top electrode and the resistance random access memory member are substantially aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: ChiaHua Ho, Erh-Kun Lai, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9076684
    Abstract: A 3D memory structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The 3D memory structure includes a substrate, a plurality of stacked structures, a plurality of charge trapping layers, a plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of stair structures. The stacked structures are formed on the substrate, and each of the stacked structures includes a plurality of gates and a plurality of gate insulators alternately stacked on the substrate. The charge trapping layers are formed on the sidewalls of the stacked structures. The bit lines are arranged orthogonally over the stacked structures, the surfaces of the bit lines crossing the stacked structures for forming a plurality of memory elements. The stair structures, each electrically connected to the different gates, are stacked on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20150187694
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a stacked structure, a dielectric layer, a conductive structure, a dielectric structure and a conductive plug. The stacked structure includes dielectric films and conductive films arranged alternately. The dielectric layer is between the conductive structure and a sidewall of the stacked structure. The dielectric structure is on the stacked structure and defining a through via. The conductive plug fills the through via and physically contacts one of the conductive films exposed by the through via and adjoined with the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Guan-Ru Lee, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Publication number: 20150187788
    Abstract: A 3D memory structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The 3D memory structure includes a substrate, a plurality of stacked structures, a plurality of charge trapping layers, a plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of stair structures. The stacked structures are formed on the substrate, and each of the stacked structures includes a plurality of gates and a plurality of gate insulators alternately stacked on the substrate. The charge trapping layers are formed on the sidewalls of the stacked structures. The bit lines are arranged orthogonally over the stacked structures, the surfaces of the bit lines crossing the stacked structures for forming a plurality of memory elements. The stair structures, each electrically connected to the different gates, are stacked on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9041077
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a stacked structure vertically formed on the substrate. The stacked structure includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of insulating layers, and the conductive layers and the insulating layers are interlaced. At least one of the conductive layers has a first doping segment having a first doping property and a second doping segment having a second doping property, the second doping property being different from the first doping property. The interface between the first doping segment and the second doping segment has a grain boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Chen, Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20150137250
    Abstract: The present invention further provides a string select line (SSL) of a three-dimensional memory array, including: a dielectric substrate; an SSL structure disposed on the dielectric substrate, wherein the SSL structure includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of first conductive layers, the dielectric layers and the first conductive layers stacked alternatively; a second conductive layer covering sidewalls and a top portion of the SSL structure; and an oxide layer disposed between the first conductive layers and the second conductive layer, and contacting with the first conductive layers and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9029216
    Abstract: A memory comprises a substrate, a plurality of bit line stacks of alternate semiconductor layers and first insulating layers, a memory layer, a plurality of second insulating layers, and a plurality of string select structures. The bit line stacks are disposed over the substrates and arranged in parallel. Each of the bit line stacks has two opposite sidewalls. The memory layer is disposed on the sidewalls of the bit line stacks. The second insulating layers are disposed on the bit line stacks, respectively. The string select structures are disposed correspondingly to the bit line stacks. Each of the string select structures comprises a first conductive layer and two liners, the semiconductor layer is disposed on a corresponding second insulating layer, and the two liners are disposed respectively along the two opposite sidewalls of a corresponding bit line stack and connected the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20150115344
    Abstract: A 3D stacked semiconductor structure is provided, comprising a plurality of stacks formed on a substrate; at least a contact hole formed vertically in one of the stacks; a conductor formed in the contact hole; and a charging trapping layer at least formed at sidewalls of the stacks. One of the stacks comprises a multi-layered pillar, including a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of conductive layers arranged alternately, and a dielectric layer formed on the multi-layered pillar. The contact hole is formed vertically in one of the stacks, and the contact hole penetrates the dielectric layer, the insulating layers and the conductive layers of the corresponding stack. Also, a top surface of the conductor is higher than a top surface of the multi-layered pillar for the corresponding stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9019771
    Abstract: A memory cell array of dielectric charge trapping memory cells and method for performing program, read and erase operations on the memory cell array that includes bits stored at charge trapping sites in adjacent memory cells. A bit of information is stored at a first charge trapping site in a first memory cell and a second charge trapping site in a second adjacent memory cell. Storing charge at two trapping sites in adjacent memory cells increases data retention rates of the array of memory cells as each charge trapping site can be read to represent the data that is stored at the data site. Each corresponding charge trapping site can be read independently and in parallel so that the results can be compared to determine the data value that is stored at the data site in an array of dielectric charge trapping memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lan Lung, Yen-Hao Shih, Erh-Kun Lai, Ming-Hsiu Lee
  • Patent number: 9018615
    Abstract: A memory cell device, of the type that includes a memory material switchable between electrical property states by application of energy, includes first and second electrodes, a plug of memory material (such as phase change material) which is in electrical contact with the second electrode, and an electrically conductive film which is supported by a dielectric form and which is in electrical contact with the first electrode and with the memory material plug. The dielectric form is wider near the first electrode, and is narrower near the phase change plug. The area of contact of the conductive film with the phase change plug is defined in part by the geometry of the dielectric form over which the conductive film is formed. Also, methods for making the device include steps of constructing a dielectric form over a first electrode, and forming a conductive film over the dielectric form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, ChiaHua Ho, Kuang Yeu Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20150108563
    Abstract: A memory comprises a substrate, a plurality of bit line stacks of alternate semiconductor layers and first insulating layers, a memory layer, a plurality of second insulating layers, and a plurality of string select structures. The bit line stacks are disposed over the substrates and arranged in parallel. Each of the bit line stacks has two opposite sidewalls. The memory layer is disposed on the sidewalls of the bit line stacks. The second insulating layers are disposed on the bit line stacks, respectively. The string select structures are disposed correspondingly to the bit line stacks. Each of the string select structures comprises a first conductive layer and two liners, the semiconductor layer is disposed on a corresponding second insulating layer, and the two liners are disposed respectively along the two opposite sidewalls of a corresponding bit line stack and connected the first conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20150060958
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a stacked structure vertically formed on the substrate. The stacked structure includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of insulating layers, and the conductive layers and the insulating layers are interlaced. At least one of the conductive layers has a first doping segment having a first doping property and a second doping segment having a second doping property, the second doping property being different from the first doping property. The interface between the first doping segment and the second doping segment has a grain boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Chen, Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 8962466
    Abstract: A metal oxide formed by in situ oxidation assisted by radiation induced photo-acid is described. The method includes depositing a photosensitive material over a metal surface of an electrode. Upon exposure to radiation (for example ultraviolet light), a component, such as a photo-acid generator, of the photosensitive material forms an oxidizing reactant, such as a photo acid, which causes oxidation of the metal at the metal surface. As a result of the oxidation, a layer of metal oxide is formed. The photosensitive material can then be removed, and subsequent elements of the component can be formed in contact with the metal oxide layer. The metal oxide can be a transition metal oxide by oxidation of a transition metal. The metal oxide layer can be applied as a memory element in a programmable resistance memory cell. The metal oxide can be an element of a programmable metallization cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Min Lee, Erh-Kun Lai, Wei-Chih Chien, Ming-Hsiu Lee, Chih-Chieh Yu
  • Patent number: 8937340
    Abstract: Memory cells comprising thin film transistor, stacked arrays, employing bandgap engineered tunneling layers in a junction free, NAND configuration. The cells comprise a channel region in a semiconductor strip formed on an insulating layer; a tunnel dielectric structure disposed above the channel region, the tunnel dielectric structure comprising a multilayer structure including at least one layer having a hole-tunneling barrier height lower than that at the interface with the channel region; a charge storage layer disposed above the tunnel dielectric structure; an insulating layer disposed above the charge storage layer; and a gate electrode disposed above the insulating layer Arrays and methods of operation are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hang-Ting Lue, Erh-Kun Lai