Abstract: A storage device includes a memory device and a controller. The memory device includes a memory region configured by a plurality of memory cells. The controller is configured to set at least one prohibited threshold voltage distribution for the memory region based on a result of an operation on the memory region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. An ion implantation mask exposing a portion of a semiconductor substrate is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The implantation mask includes a second hardmask layer having a first thickness and a second hardmask layer having a second thickness. The first hardmask layer is disposed between the second hardmask layer and the semiconductor substrate. An ion implantation process is performed on the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate using the implantation mask. The implantation mask is removed without forming an etch mask layer on the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. An ion implantation mask exposing a portion of a semiconductor substrate is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The implantation mask includes a second hardmask layer having a first thickness and a second hardmask layer having a second thickness. The first hardmask layer is disposed between the second hardmask layer and the semiconductor substrate. An ion implantation process is performed on the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate using the implantation mask. The implantation mask is removed without forming an etch mask layer on the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: To fabricate a semiconductor device, a fin is formed to protrude from a substrate. The fin is extended in a first direction. A gate line is formed on the fin and the substrate. The gate line is extended in a second direction crossing the first direction. An amorphous material layer is conformally formed to cover the substrate, the fin, and the gate line. The amorphous material layer is partially removed, thereby forming a first remaining amorphous layer on side walls of the fin and a second remaining amorphous layer on side walls of the gate line. The first remaining amorphous layer and the second remaining amorphous layer are annealed and the first remaining amorphous material layer and the second remaining amorphous material layer are crystallized into a monocrystalline material layer and a polycrystalline material layer, respectively. The polycrystalline material layer is removed.

Abstract: To fabricate a semiconductor device, a fin is formed to protrude from a substrate. The fin is extended in a first direction. A gate line is formed on the fin and the substrate. The gate line is extended in a second direction crossing the first direction. An amorphous material layer is conformally formed to cover the substrate, the fin, and the gate line. The amorphous material layer is partially removed, thereby forming a first remaining amorphous layer on side walls of the fin and a second remaining amorphous layer on side walls of the gate line. The first remaining amorphous layer and the second remaining amorphous layer are annealed and the first remaining amorphous material layer and the second remaining amorphous material layer are crystallized into a monocrystalline material layer and a polycrystalline material layer, respectively. The polycrystalline material layer is removed.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device having an enlarged contact area between a contact structure and a substrate, the substrate may include a first region on which a conductive structure is arranged and a second region defining the first region. The first region may include a multi-faced polyhedral recess of which at least one of the sidewalls is slanted with respect to a surface of the substrate. An insulation layer may be formed on the substrate to a thickness that is sufficient to cover the conductive structure. The insulation layer has a contact hole that may be communicated with the recess. The active region of the substrate is exposed through the contact hole. A conductive pattern is positioned in the recess and the contact hole. Accordingly, the contact resistance at the active region of the substrate may be kept to a relatively low value even though the gap distances and line width of pattern lines are reduced.

Abstract: A capacitor includes an object or a substrate including an insulation layer having an opening, an electrode structure having conductive patterns, a dielectric layer and an upper electrode. The electrode structure may have a first conductive pattern including metal and a second conductive pattern including metal oxide generated from the first conductive pattern. The first conductive pattern may fill the opening and may protrude over the insulation layer. The second conductive pattern may extend from the first conductive pattern. The electrode structure may additionally include a third conductive pattern disposed on the second conductive pattern. The capacitor including the electrode structure may ensure improved structural stability and electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating layer disposed on a substrate, the interlayer insulating layer comprising an opening exposing the substrate, a barrier layer pattern disposed within the opening, and a conductive pattern disposed on the barrier layer pattern, the conductive pattern having an oxidized portion extending out of the opening and a non-oxidized portion within the opening, wherein a width of the conductive pattern is determined by a thickness of the barrier layer pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes depositing tungsten on an insulating layer in which a contact hole is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), performing chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) on the tungsten to expose the insulating layer and form a tungsten contact plug, and performing rapid thermal oxidation (RTO) on the tungsten contact plug in an oxygen atmosphere such that the tungsten expands volumetrically into tungsten oxide (W?O?).

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: A method of fabricating a phase change memory device includes the use of first, second and third polishing processes. The first polishing process forms a first contact portion using a first sacrificial layer and the second polishing process forms a phase change material pattern using a second sacrificial layer. After removing the first and second sacrificial layers to expose resultant protruding structures of the first contact portion and the phase change material pattern, a third polishing process is used to polish the resultant protruding structures using an insulation layer as a polishing stopper layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a recess is formed in an active region of a substrate. A gate insulation layer is formed in the first recess. A barrier layer is formed on the gate insulation layer. A preliminary nucleation layer having a first resistance is formed on the barrier layer. The preliminary nucleation layer is converted into a nucleation layer having a second resistance substantially smaller than the first resistance. A conductive layer is formed on the nucleation layer. The conductive layer, the nucleation layer, the barrier layer and the gate insulation layer are partially etched to form a buried gate structure including a gate insulation layer pattern, a barrier layer pattern, a nucleation layer pattern and a conductive layer pattern.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device including a first contact region and a second contact region formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating layer with a first contact hole and a second contact hole is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, exposing the first and second contact regions. A first conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating interlayer to fill the first and the second contact holes. A first protection layer pattern and a lower wiring protection pattern are disposed on the first conductive layer. A first contact with a first electrode and a second contact with a lower wiring are disposed so as to connect the first and second contact regions. A second protection layer with a second electrode is disposed on the first protection layer pattern and the lower wiring protection pattern. A via filled with a phase-change material is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: In methods of forming a thin ferroelectric layer and methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a preliminary ferroelectric layer is formed on a substrate by depositing a metal oxide including lead, zirconium and titanium. The surface of the preliminary ferroelectric layer is polished using a slurry composition including an acrylic acid polymer, abrasive particles, and water to form a thin ferroelectric layer on the substrate. The slurry composition may reduce a polishing rate of the preliminary ferroelectric layer such that removal of a bulk portion of the preliminary ferroelectric layer may be suppressed and the surface roughness of the preliminary ferroelectric layer may be improved.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device having an enlarged contact area between a contact structure and a substrate, the substrate may include a first region on which a conductive structure is arranged and a second region defining the first region. The first region may include a multi-faced polyhedral recess of which at least one of the sidewalls is slanted with respect to a surface of the substrate. An insulation layer may be formed on the substrate to a thickness that is sufficient to cover the conductive structure. The insulation layer has a contact hole that may be communicated with the recess. The active region of the substrate is exposed through the contact hole. A conductive pattern is positioned in the recess and the contact hole. Accordingly, the contact resistance at the active region of the substrate may be kept to a relatively low value even though the gap distances and line width of pattern lines are reduced.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase change memory device includes the use of first, second and third polishing processes. The first polishing process forms a first contact portion using a first sacrificial layer and the second polishing process forms a phase change material pattern using a second sacrificial layer. After removing the first and second sacrificial layers to expose resultant protruding structures of the first contact portion and the phase change material pattern, a third polishing process is used to polish the resultant protruding structures using an insulation layer as a polishing stopper layer.

Abstract: A plug comprises a first insulating interlayer, a tungsten pattern and a tungsten oxide pattern. The first insulating interlayer has a contact hole formed therethrough on a substrate. The tungsten pattern is formed in the contact hole. The tungsten pattern has a top surface lower than an upper face of the first insulating interlayer. The tungsten oxide pattern is formed in the contact hole and on the tungsten pattern. The tungsten oxide pattern has a level face.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a pattern having trenches on a semiconductor substrate; forming a semiconductor layer on the semiconductor device that fills the trenches; planarizing the semiconductor layer using a first planarization process without exposing the pattern; performing an epitaxy growth process on the first planarized semiconductor layer to form a crystalline semiconductor layer; and planarizing the crystalline semiconductor layer until the pattern is exposed to form a crystalline semiconductor pattern.

Abstract: A capacitor includes an object or a substrate including an insulation layer having an opening, an electrode structure having conductive patterns, a dielectric layer and an upper electrode. The electrode structure may have a first conductive pattern including metal and a second conductive pattern including metal oxide generated from the first conductive pattern. The first conductive pattern may fill the opening and may protrude over the insulation layer. The second conductive pattern may extend from the first conductive pattern. The electrode structure may additionally include a third conductive pattern disposed on the second conductive pattern. The capacitor including the electrode structure may ensure improved structural stability and electrical characteristics.

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.