Patents by Inventor Soon-Cheon Seo

Soon-Cheon Seo 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).

  • Publication number: 20230093604
    Abstract: A phase-change memory cell comprises a heater element. The heater element comprises a first resistive material, a conductive material, and a second resistive material. The first resistive material, second resistive material, and conductive material together form a well. The phase-change memory cell also comprises a deposition of dielectric material plugs the well, and an insulator gap within the well that is enclosed by the first resistive material, the conductive material, and the second resistive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Soon-Cheon Seo, Alexander Reznicek, Youngseok Kim
  • Publication number: 20230085995
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of resistive memory element structures, at least a subset of the plurality of resistive memory element structures being associated with random analog resistive states. The random analog resistive states of the subset of the plurality of resistive memory element structures provide a unique identification of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, Jonas Doevenspeck, Youngseok Kim, Soon-Cheon Seo, Seyoung Kim
  • Publication number: 20230079392
    Abstract: Structures and methods are provided for integrating a resistance random access memory (ReRAM) in a back-end-on-the-line (BEOL) fat wire level. In one embodiment, a ReRAM device area contact structure is provided in the BEOL fat wire level that has at least a lower via portion that contacts a surface of a top electrode of a ReRAM device area ReRAM-containing stack. In other embodiments, a tall ReRAM device area bottom electrode is provided in the BEOL fat wire level and embedded in a dielectric material stack that includes a dielectric capping layer and an interlayer dielectric material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Soon-Cheon Seo, DEXIN KONG, Takashi Ando, Paul Charles Jamison, HIROYUKI MIYAZOE, Youngseok Kim, Nicole Saulnier, Vijay Narayanan, Iqbal Rashid Saraf
  • Patent number: 11600325
    Abstract: A resistance switching RAM logic device is presented. The device includes a pair of resistance switching RAM cells that may be independently programed into at least a low resistance state (LRS) or a high resistance state (HRS). The resistance switching RAM logic device may further include a shared output node electrically connected to the pair of resistance switching RAM cells. A logical output may be determined from the programmed resistance state of each of the resistance switching RAM cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chung Chen, Mary Claire Silvestre, Soon-Cheon Seo, Chi-Chun Liu, Fee Li Lie, Chih-Chao Yang, Yann Mignot, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Publication number: 20230067357
    Abstract: An approach to provide a semiconductor structure for an array of individual memory cells forming a crossbar array. A plurality of individual memory cells where each memory cell on a first metal layer includes a top electrode contact and a bottom electrode contact in a second metal layer. The crossbar array includes a word line above each of the individual memory cells connecting one or more adjacent top electrode contacts and a bit line above each of the individual memory cells connecting one or more of the adjacent bottom electrode contacts where each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells has a pre-formed conductive filament in a resistive switch device in each memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Soon-Cheon Seo, Youngseok Kim, Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 11588103
    Abstract: A vertical resistive memory array is presented. The array includes a pillar electrode and a switching liner around the side perimeter of the pillar electrode. The array includes two or more vertically stacked single cell (SC) electrodes connected to a first side of the switching liner. The juxtaposition of the switching liner, the pillar electrode, and each SC electrode forms respective resistance switching cells (e.g., OxRRAM cell). A vertical group or bank of these cells may be connected in parallel and each share the same pillar electrode. The cells in the vertical cell bank may written to or read from as a group to limit the effects of inconsistent CF formation of any one or more individual cells within the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Youngseok Kim, Choonghyun Lee, Timothy Mathew Philip, Soon-Cheon Seo, Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20230051052
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a resistive random access memory device embedded between an upper metal interconnect and a lower metal interconnect in a backend structure of a chip. The resistive random access memory may include a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a dielectric film. A portion of the dielectric film directly above the first electrode may be crystalline. The semiconductor structure may include a stud below and in electrical contact with the first electrode and the lower metal interconnect and a dielectric layer between the upper metal interconnect and the lower metal interconnect. The dielectric layer may separate the upper metal interconnect from the lower metal interconnect. The crystalline portion of the dielectric film may include grain boundaries that extend through an entire thickness of the dielectric film. The crystalline portion of the dielectric film may include grains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Oleg Gluschenkov, Alexander Reznicek, Youngseok Kim, Injo Ok, Soon-Cheon Seo
  • Publication number: 20230051017
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a resistive random access memory device embedded between an upper metal interconnect and a lower metal interconnect in a backend structure of a chip. The resistive random access memory may include a bottom electrode and a top electrode separated by a dielectric film. A portion of the dielectric film directly above the bottom electrode may be doped and crystalline. The semiconductor structure may include a stud below and in electrical contact with the bottom electrode and the lower metal interconnect and a dielectric layer between the upper metal interconnect and the lower metal interconnect. The dielectric layer may separate the upper metal interconnect from the lower metal interconnect. The crystalline portion of the dielectric film may include grain boundaries that extend through an entire thickness of the dielectric film. The crystalline portion of the dielectric film may include grains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Oleg Gluschenkov, Alexander Reznicek, Injo Ok, Soon-Cheon Seo
  • Patent number: 11522045
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first middle-of-line (MOL) oxide layer and a second MOL oxide layer in the semiconductor structure. The first MOL oxide layer including multiple gate stacks formed on a substrate, and each gate stack of the gate stacks including a source/drain junction. A first nitride layer is formed over a silicide in the first MOL oxide layer. A second nitride layer is formed. Trenches are formed through the second nitride layer down to the source/drain junctions. A nitride cap of the plurality of gate stacks is selectively recessed. At least one self-aligned contact area (CA) element is formed within the first nitride layer. The first MOL oxide layer is selectively recessed. An air-gap oxide layer is deposited. The air gap oxide layer is reduced to the at least one self-aligned CA element and the first nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TESSERA LLC
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Balasubramanian Pranatharthiharan, Soon-Cheon Seo, Charan V. Surisetty
  • Publication number: 20220310911
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may include a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure may include a phase change element located above a heater. The heater may include a conductive element surrounding a dielectric element. The dielectric element may include an air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek, Soon-Cheon Seo, Youngseok Kim, Timothy Mathew Philip
  • Patent number: 11430513
    Abstract: A low voltage forming NVM structure including a plurality of ReRAM devices arranged in a cross bar array and sandwiched between a plurality of first electrically conductive structures and a plurality of second electrically conductive structures. Each first electrically conductive structure is oriented perpendicular to each second electrically conductive structure. The plurality of second electrically conductive structures includes a first set of second electrically conductive structures having a first top trench area A1, and a second set of second electrically conductive structures having a second top trench area A2 that is greater than A1. Each second electrically conductive structure of the first set contacts a surface of at least one of the first electrically conductive structures, and each second electrically conductive structure of the second set contacts a top electrode of at least one of the ReRAM devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Soon-Cheon Seo, Youngseok Kim, Dexin Kong, Takashi Ando, Hiroyuki Miyazoe
  • Patent number: 11430514
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a plurality of word lines; a plurality of bit lines intersecting the plurality of word lines at a plurality of grid points; and a plurality of resistive random-access memory cells located at the plurality of grid points. Each of the resistive random-access memory cells includes a top metal coupled to one of: a corresponding one of the word lines and a corresponding one of the bit lines; a bottom metal coupled to another one of: the corresponding one of the word lines and the corresponding one of the bit lines; a dielectric sandwiched between the top metal and the bottom metal; and a high-resistance semiconductive spacer electrically connecting the top metal and the bottom metal in parallel with the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Youngseok Kim, Soon-Cheon Seo, Choonghyun Lee, Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20220238803
    Abstract: A memory structure comprises a ReRAM module embedded in a substrate. An insulative layer is formed on the substrate. A first electrode is located on the insulative layer. The first electrode is proximately connected to a first end of the ReRAM module and comprises a first surface area. A second electrode is located on the insulative layer. The second electrode is proximately connected to a second end of the ReRAM module. The second electrode comprises a second surface area, a plasma-interacting component, and a resistive component. The resistive component is located between the plasma-interacting component and the ReRAM module. A ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area creates a voltage between the first electrode and second electrode when the first surface area and second surfaces area are exposed to an application of plasma. The voltage forms a conductive filament in the ReRAM module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Youngseok Kim, Soon-Cheon Seo, Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20220223205
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a plurality of word lines; a plurality of bit lines intersecting the plurality of word lines at a plurality of grid points; and a plurality of resistive random-access memory cells located at the plurality of grid points. Each of the resistive random-access memory cells includes a top metal coupled to one of: a corresponding one of the word lines and a corresponding one of the bit lines; a bottom metal coupled to another one of: the corresponding one of the word lines and the corresponding one of the bit lines; a dielectric sandwiched between the top metal and the bottom metal; and a high-resistance semiconductive spacer electrically connecting the top metal and the bottom metal in parallel with the dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Youngseok Kim, Soon-Cheon Seo, Choonghyun Lee, Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20220172776
    Abstract: A resistance switching RAM logic device is presented. The device includes a pair of resistance switching RAM cells that may be independently programed into at least a low resistance state (LRS) or a high resistance state (HRS). The resistance switching RAM logic device may further include a shared output node electrically connected to the pair of resistance switching RAM cells. A logical output may be determined from the programmed resistance state of each of the resistance switching RAM cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chung Chen, Mary Claire Silvestre, Soon-Cheon Seo, Chi-Chun LIU, FEE LI LIE, Chih-Chao Yang, Yann Mignot, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Publication number: 20220165947
    Abstract: A vertical resistive memory array is presented. The array includes a pillar electrode and a switching liner around the side perimeter of the pillar electrode. The array includes two or more vertically stacked single cell (SC) electrodes connected to a first side of the switching liner. The juxtaposition of the switching liner, the pillar electrode, and each SC electrode forms respective resistance switching cells (e.g., OxRRAM cell). A vertical group or bank of these cells may be connected in parallel and each share the same pillar electrode. The cells in the vertical cell bank may written to or read from as a group to limit the effects of inconsistent CF formation of any one or more individual cells within the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Youngseok Kim, Choonghyun Lee, Timothy Mathew Philip, Soon-Cheon Seo, Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20220149275
    Abstract: Arrays of PCM devices and techniques for fabrication thereof having an integrated resistor formed during heater patterning for uniform voltage drop amongst the PCM devices are provided. In one aspect, a PCM device includes: at least one PCM cell including a phase change material disposed on a heater; and at least one resistor in series with the at least one PCM cell, wherein the at least one resistor includes a same combination of materials as the heater. A memory array and a method of forming a PCM device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Soon-Cheon Seo, Alexander Reznicek, Youngseok Kim
  • Patent number: 11282947
    Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor may include a base epitaxially grown on a collector, an emitter epitaxially grown on the base, the emitter and the base being patterned into a fin, and a silicon oxide layer formed on sidewalls of the fin, the silicon oxide layer separating the base from a spacer. The heterojunction bipolar transistor may include the spacer formed on top of the silicon oxide layer and an interlayer dielectric formed on top of the spacer. The heterojunction bipolar transistor may also include a silicon germanium oxide layer formed on sidewalls of the base. The base may be made of silicon germanium. The emitter and the collector may be made of silicon. The base may be doped with a p-type dopant. The emitter and the collector may be doped with a n-type dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek, Choonghyun Lee, Soon-Cheon Seo
  • Publication number: 20220069109
    Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor may include a base epitaxially grown on a collector, an emitter epitaxially grown on the base, the emitter and the base being patterned into a fin, and a silicon oxide layer formed on sidewalls of the fin, the silicon oxide layer separating the base from a spacer. The heterojunction bipolar transistor may include the spacer formed on top of the silicon oxide layer and an interlayer dielectric formed on top of the spacer. The heterojunction bipolar transistor may also include a silicon germanium oxide layer formed on sidewalls of the base. The base may be made of silicon germanium. The emitter and the collector may be made of silicon. The base may be doped with a p-type dopant. The emitter and the collector may be doped with a n-type dopant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek, Choonghyun Lee, Soon-Cheon Seo
  • Patent number: 11244870
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical transistor device includes forming a first plurality of fins in a first device region and a second plurality of fins in a second device region on a substrate. The first plurality of fins have a SiGe portion exposed above a top surface of the first region and a portion of the second plurality of fins are exposed above a top surface of the second region. The method further includes depositing a first GeO2 layer on the top surface of the device and over the exposed SiGe portion of the first plurality of fins and the exposed portion of the second plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: ChoongHyun Lee, Shogo Mochizuki, Injo Ok, Soon-Cheon Seo