Abstract: A semiconductor p-i-n diode and method for forming the same are described herein. In one aspect, a SiGe region is formed between a region doped to have one conductivity (either p+ or n+) and an electrical contact to the p-i-n diode. The SiGe region may serve to lower the contact resistance, which may increase the forward bias current. The doped region extends below the SiGe region such that it is between the SiGe region and an intrinsic region of the diode. The p-i-n diode may be formed from silicon. The doped region below the SiGe region may serve to keep the reverse bias current from increasing as result of the added SiGe region. In one embodiment, the SiGe is formed such that the forward bias current of an up-pointing p-i-n diode in a memory array substantially matches the forward bias current of a down-pointing p-i-n diode which may achieve better switching results when these diodes are used with the R/W material in a 3D memory array.

Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a substrate surface, and forming a non-volatile memory array over the substrate surface. The non-volatile memory array includes an array of semiconductor diodes, and each semiconductor diode of the array of semiconductor diodes is disposed substantially parallel to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first layer comprising a seed material over an underlying layer, forming a second layer comprising a sacrificial material over the first layer, the sacrificial material being different from the seed material, patterning the first layer and the second layer into a plurality of separate features, forming an insulating filling material between the plurality of the separate features, removing the sacrificial material from the separate features to form a plurality of openings in the insulating filling material such that the seed material is exposed in the plurality of openings, and growing a semiconductor material on the exposed seed material in the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A method of making a device is disclosed including: forming a first hard mask layer over an underlying layer; forming a first imprint resist layer over the underlying layer; forming first features over the first hard mask layer by bringing a first imprint template in contact with the first imprint resist layer; forming a first spacer layer over the first features; etching the first spacer layer to form a first spacer pattern and to expose top of the first features; removing the first features; patterning the first hard mask, using the first spacer pattern as a mask, to form first hard mask features; and etching at least part of the underlying layer using the first hard mask features as a mask.

Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a substrate surface, and forming a non-volatile memory array over the substrate surface. The non-volatile memory array includes an array of semiconductor diodes, and each semiconductor diode of the array of semiconductor diodes is disposed substantially parallel to the substrate surface.

Abstract: Methods in accordance with aspects of this invention form microelectronic structures in accordance with other aspects this invention, such as non-volatile memories, that include (1) a bottom electrode, (2) a resistivity-switchable layer disposed above and in contact with the bottom electrode, and (3) a top electrode disposed above and in contact with the resistivity-switchable layer; wherein the resistivity-switchable layer includes a carbon-based material and a dielectric filler material. Numerous additional aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming at least one device layer over a substrate, forming at least two spaced apart features over the at least one device layer, forming sidewall spacers on the at least two features, selectively removing the spaced apart features, filling a space between a first sidewall spacer and a second sidewall spacer with a filler feature, selectively removing the sidewall spacers to leave a plurality of the filler features spaced apart from each other, and etching the at least one device layer using the filler feature as a mask.

Abstract: A method of making a device is disclosed including: forming a first hard mask layer over an underlying layer; forming a first imprint resist layer over the underlying layer; forming first features over the first hard mask layer by bringing a first imprint template in contact with the first imprint resist layer; forming a first spacer layer over the first features; etching the first spacer layer to form a first spacer pattern and to expose top of the first features; removing the first features; patterning the first hard mask, using the first spacer pattern as a mask, to form first hard mask features; and etching at least part of the underlying layer using the first hard mask features as a mask.

Abstract: A method of making a device includes forming an underlying mask layer over an underlying layer, forming a first mask layer over the underlying mask layer, patterning the first mask layer to form first mask features, undercutting the underlying mask layer to form underlying mask features using the first mask features as a mask, removing the first mask features, and patterning the underlying layer using at least the underlying mask features as a mask.

Abstract: Memory cells, and methods of forming such memory cells are provided that include a steering element coupled to a carbon-based reversible resistivity-switching material. In particular embodiments, methods in accordance with this invention etch a carbon nano-tube (“CNT”) film formed over a substrate, the methods including coating the substrate with a masking layer, patterning the masking layer, and etching the CNT film through the patterned masking layer using a non-oxygen based chemistry. Other aspects are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming at least one device layer over a substrate, forming at least two spaced apart features over the at least one device layer, forming sidewall spacers on the at least two features, selectively removing the spaced apart features, filling a space between a first sidewall spacer and a second sidewall spacer with a filler feature, selectively removing the sidewall spacers to leave a plurality of the filler features spaced apart from each other, and etching the at least one device layer using the filler feature as a mask.

Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a substrate surface, and forming a non-volatile memory array over the substrate surface. The non-volatile memory array includes an array of semiconductor diodes, and each semiconductor diode of the array of semiconductor diodes is disposed substantially parallel to the substrate surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming an array of devices. The invention includes forming a stack of material layers, forming a first hardmask over the plurality of material layers, exposing the first hardmask to ozone mixed with a halogenated additive, forming a protective layer over the first hardmask, forming a second mask on the protective layer shifted relative to the first mask, exposing the second hardmask to ozone mixed with the halogenated additive, and etching the plurality of material layers to remove material not covered by the hardmasks. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: An airbag inflator (10) including an elongated outer housing (12) having an interior and a plurality of orifices (22) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the outer housing interior and an exterior of the outer housing (12). The outer housing orifice(s) (22) open from the outer housing interior toward a first side (F) of the inflator. An elongated inner housing (14) is positioned in the outer housing interior. The inner housing (14) has an interior and a plurality of orifices (20) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the inner housing interior and an exterior of the inner housing (14). The inner housing orifice(s) (20) open from the inner housing interior toward a second side (S) of the inflator. A quantity of a gas generant composition (16) extends along a portion of the interior of the inner housing (14).