Patents by Inventor Sung Jin Whang

Sung Jin Whang 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: 9112044
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of word line structures extended in parallel and including a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of word lines that are alternately stacked over a substrate, a plurality of channels protruding from the substrate configured to penetrate the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of word lines, and an air gap formed between the plurality of word line structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Jin Whang, Ki Hong Lee
  • Publication number: 20150206591
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a channel vertically extending from a substrate, a plurality of memory cells stacked along the channel; a source region connected to a first end portion of the channel, and a bit line connected to a second end portion of the channel, wherein the first end portion of the channel that adjoins the source region is formed as an undoped semiconductor layer or a semiconductor layer doped with P-type impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Seiichi ARITOME, Hyun-Seung YOO, Sung-Jin WHANG
  • Patent number: 9019767
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a channel vertically extending from a substrate, a plurality of memory cells stacked along the channel; a source region connected to a first end portion of the channel, and a bit line connected to a second end portion of the channel, wherein the first end portion of the channel that adjoins the source region is formed as an undoped semiconductor layer or a semiconductor layer doped with P-type impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Seiichi Aritome, Hyun-Seung Yoo, Sung-Jin Whang
  • Publication number: 20150099337
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate; a channel layer projecting from a surface of the substrate, in a direction perpendicular to the surface; a tunnel dielectric layer surrounding the channel layer; a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of control gate electrodes alternately formed along the channel layer; floating gate electrodes interposed between the tunnel dielectric layer and the plurality of control gate electrodes, the floating gate electrodes comprising a metal-semiconductor compound; and a charge blocking layer interposed between each of the plurality of control gate electrodes and each of the plurality of floating gate electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Sung-Jin WHANG, Dong-Sun SHEEN, Seung-Ho PYI, Min-Soo KIM
  • Publication number: 20150099339
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a channel layer vertically extending from a substrate, a plurality of inter-layer dielectric layers and a plurality of gate electrodes that are alternately stacked along the channel layer, and an air gap interposed between the channel layer and each of the plurality of gate electrodes. The non-volatile memory device may improve erase operation characteristics by suppressing back tunneling of electrons by substituting a charge blocking layer interposed between a gate electrode and a charge storage layer with an air gap, and a method for fabricating the non-volatile memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Min-Soo KIM, Dong-Sun SHEEN, Seung-Ho PYI, Sung-Jin WHANG
  • Publication number: 20150079748
    Abstract: This technology relates to a nonvolatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device may include a pipe connection gate electrode configured to have a lower part buried in a groove formed in a substrate, one or more pipe channel layers formed within the pipe connection gate electrode, pairs of main channel layers each coupled with the pipe channel layer and extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate; and a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of cell gate electrodes alternately stacked along the main channel layers. In accordance with this technology, a lower part of the pipe connection gate electrode is buried in the substrate. Accordingly, electric resistance may be reduced because the pipe connection gate electrode may have an increased volume without a substantial increase of the height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Min-Soo KIM, Young-Jin LEE, Sung-Jin WHANG
  • Publication number: 20150072491
    Abstract: The device includes plural control gates stacked on a substrate, plural first channels, configured to penetrate the control gates, and plural memory layer patterns, each located between the control gate and the first channel, configured to respectively surround the first channel, wherein the memory layer patterns are isolated from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Min Soo KIM, Dong Sun SHEEN, Young Jin LEE, Jin Hae CHOI, Joo Hee HAN, Sung Jin WHANG
  • Patent number: 8928063
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a channel layer vertically extending from a substrate, a plurality of inter-layer dielectric layers and a plurality of gate electrodes that are alternately stacked along the channel layer, and an air gap interposed between the channel layer and each of the plurality of gate electrodes. The non-volatile memory device may improve erase operation characteristics by suppressing back tunneling of electrons by substituting a charge blocking layer interposed between a gate electrode and a charge storage layer with an air gap, and a method for fabricating the non-volatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Soo Kim, Dong-Sun Sheen, Seung-Ho Pyi, Sung-Jin Whang
  • Patent number: 8928059
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate; a channel layer projecting from a surface of the substrate, in a direction perpendicular to the surface; a tunnel dielectric layer surrounding the channel layer; a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of control gate electrodes alternately formed along the channel layer; floating gate electrodes interposed between the tunnel dielectric layer and the plurality of control gate electrodes, the floating gate electrodes comprising a metal-semiconductor compound; and a charge blocking layer interposed between each of the plurality of control gate electrodes and each of the plurality of floating gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Jin Whang, Dong-Sun Sheen, Seung-Ho Pyi, Min-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8921922
    Abstract: This technology relates to a nonvolatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device may include a pipe connection gate electrode configured to have a lower part buried in a groove formed in a substrate, one or more pipe channel layers formed within the pipe connection gate electrode, pairs of main channel layers each coupled with the pipe channel layer and extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate; and a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of cell gate electrodes alternately stacked along the main channel layers. In accordance with this technology, a lower part of the pipe connection gate electrode is buried in the substrate. Accordingly, electric resistance may be reduced because the pipe connection gate electrode may have an increased volume without a substantial increase of the height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Soo Kim, Young-Jin Lee, Sung-Jin Whang
  • Publication number: 20140370702
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a conductive layer, a diffusion barrier layer formed over the conductive layer, including a refractory metal compound, and acquired after a surface treatment, and a metal silicide layer formed over the diffusion barrier layer. The adhesion between a diffusion barrier layer and a metal silicide layer may be improved by increasing the surface energy of the diffusion barrier layer through a surface treatment. Therefore, although the metal silicide layer is fused in a high-temperature process, it is possible to prevent a void from being caused at the interface between the diffusion barrier layer and the metal silicide layer. Moreover, it is possible to increase the adhesion between a conductive layer and the diffusion barrier layer by increasing the surface energy of the conductive layer through the surface treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Sung-Jin WHANG, Moon-Sig JOO, Kwon HONG, Jung-Yeon LIM, Won-Kyu KIM, Bo-Min SEO, Kyoung-Eun CHANG
  • Patent number: 8860119
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate including a surface, a channel layer formed on the surface of the substrate, which protrudes perpendicularly from the surface, and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of gate electrode layers alternately stacked along the channel layer, wherein the plurality of gate electrode layers protrude from the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Soo Kim, Dong-Sun Sheen, Seung-Ho Pyi, Sung-Jin Whang
  • Patent number: 8847300
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a conductive layer, a diffusion barrier layer formed over the conductive layer, including a refractory metal compound, and acquired after a surface treatment, and a metal silicide layer formed over the diffusion barrier layer. The adhesion between a diffusion barrier layer and a metal silicide layer may be improved by increasing the surface energy of the diffusion barrier layer through a surface treatment. Therefore, although the metal silicide layer is fused in a high-temperature process, it is possible to prevent a void from being caused at the interface between the diffusion barrier layer and the metal silicide layer. Moreover, it is possible to increase the adhesion between a conductive layer and the diffusion barrier layer by increasing the surface energy of the conductive layer through the surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Jin Whang, Moon-Sig Joo, Kwon Hong, Jung-Yeon Lim, Won-Kyu Kim, Bo-Min Seo, Kyoung-Eun Chang
  • Patent number: 8748966
    Abstract: A three dimensional non-volatile memory structure includes a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of control gates alternately stacked over a substrate, a channel formed to penetrate the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of control gates, a tunnel insulating layer formed to surround the channel, a plurality of floating gates disposed between the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the tunnel insulating layer, wherein the plurality of floating gates each have a thickness greater than a corresponding one of the interlayer dielectric layers, and a charge blocking layer disposed between the plurality of control gates and the plurality of floating gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Jin Whang, Kwon Hong, Ki Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 8735962
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a vertical channel layer protruding upward from a semiconductor substrate, a tunnel insulating layer covering a sidewall of the vertical channel layer, a plurality of floating gates separated from each other and stacked one upon another along the vertical channel layer, and surrounding the vertical channel layer with the tunnel insulating layer interposed therebetween, a plurality of control gates enclosing the plurality of floating gates, respectively, and an interlayer insulating layer provided between the plurality of control gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Jin Whang, Dong Sun Sheen, Seung Ho Pyi, Min Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8711630
    Abstract: A programming method of a non-volatile memory device that includes a string of memory cells with a plurality of floating gates and a plurality of control gates disposed alternately, wherein each of the memory cells includes one floating gate and two control gates disposed adjacent to the floating gate and two neighboring memory cells share one control gate. The programming method includes applying a first program voltage to a first control gate of a selected memory cell and a second program voltage that is higher than the first program voltage to a second control gate of the selected memory cell, and applying a first pass voltage to a third control gate disposed adjacent to the first control gate and a second pass voltage that is lower than the first pass voltage to a fourth control gate disposed adjacent to the second control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Seiichi Aritome, Hyun-Seung Yoo, Sung-Jin Whang
  • Publication number: 20140054672
    Abstract: This technology relates to a nonvolatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device may include a pipe connection gate electrode configured to have a bottom buried in a groove formed in a substrate, one or more pipe channel layers formed within the pipe connection gate electrode, pairs of main channel layers each coupled to the pipe channel layer and extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate, and a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of cell gate electrodes alternately stacked along the main channel layers, wherein the pipe connection gate electrode includes a metal silicide layer formed within the groove. The electric resistance of the pipe connection gate electrode may be greatly reduced without an increase in a substantial height by forming the metal silicide layer buried in the substrate under the pipe connection gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Min-Soo KIM, Young-Jin LEE, Jin-Hae CHOI, Joo-Hee HAN, Sung-Jin WHANG, Byung-Ho LEE
  • Publication number: 20140054674
    Abstract: This technology relates to a nonvolatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device may include a pipe connection gate electrode configured to have a lower part buried in a groove formed in a substrate, one or more pipe channel layers formed within the pipe connection gate electrode, pairs of main channel layers each coupled with the pipe channel layer and extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate; and a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of cell gate electrodes alternately stacked along the main channel layers. In accordance with this technology, a lower part of the pipe connection gate electrode is buried in the substrate. Accordingly, electric resistance may be reduced because the pipe connection gate electrode may have an increased volume without a substantial increase of the height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Min-Soo KIM, Young-Jin LEE, Sung-Jin WHANG
  • Publication number: 20140054671
    Abstract: This technology relates to a nonvolatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device may include a pipe connection gate electrode over a substrate, one or more pipe channel layers formed within the pipe connection gate electrode, pairs of main channel layers each coupled with the pipe channel layer and extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate, a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of cell gate electrodes alternately stacked along the main channel layers, and etch stop layers including metal silicide and formed over the pipe connection gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Soo KIM, Young-Jin LEE, Jin-Hae CHOI, Joo-Hee HAN, Sung-Jin WHANG, Byung-Ho LEE
  • Publication number: 20140054673
    Abstract: This technology relates to a nonvolatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device may include a pipe connection gate electrode over a substrate, one or more pipe channel layers formed within the pipe connection gate electrode, pairs of main channel layers each connected with the pipe channel layer and extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate, a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of cell gate electrodes alternately stacked along the main channel layers, and metal silicide layers configured to be in contact with the pipe connection gate electrode. The electric resistance of the pipe connection gate electrode may be greatly reduced without deteriorating the characteristics of the memory layers by forming the metal silicide layers coming in contact with the pipe connection gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Min-Soo KIM, Young-Jin LEE, Sung-Jin WHANG