Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase-change random-access memory (RAM) device includes forming a chalcogenide material on a substrate. A bottom contact is formed under the chalcogenide material, the bottom contact comprising TiAlN. Forming the bottom contact includes performing an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, the ALD process including introducing an NH3 source gas into a chamber in which the ALD process is being carried out, a flow amount of the NH3 gas being such that the resulting bottom contact has a chlorine content of less than 1 at %. The bottom contact can include TiAlN having a crystallinity in terms of full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of less than about 0.65 degree.

Abstract: A phase changeable material layer usable in a semiconductor memory device and a method of forming the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A phase changeable memory cell is provided. The phase changeable memory cell includes a lower interlayer dielectric layer formed on a semiconductor substrate and a lower conductive plug passing through the lower interlayer dielectric layer. The lower conductive plug is in contact with a phase change material pattern disposed on the lower interlayer dielectric layer. The phase change material pattern and the lower interlayer dielectric layer are covered with an upper interlayer dielectric layer. The phase change material pattern is in direct contact with a conductive layer pattern, which is disposed in a plate line contact hole passing through the upper interlayer dielectric layer. Methods of fabricating the phase changeable memory cell is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for forming conductive plug structures, such as via plugs, from a plurality of conductive layer patterns and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices, including semiconductor memory devices such as phase change semiconductor memory devices. An example method forms a small via structure by forming a conductive layer on a semiconductor substrate. A molding insulating layer is formed on the conductive layer and a via hole is formed through the insulating layer to expose a region of the conductive layer. A first via filling layer is formed and then partially removed to form a partial via plug. The formation and removal of the phase change material layer are then repeated as necessary to form a multilayer plug structure that substantially fills the via hole with the multilayer structure typically exhibiting reduced defects and damage than plug structures prepared by conventional methods.

Abstract: A method of sputtering to deposit a target material onto a substrate includes supplying an ionized gas to the substrate and the target material. A first DC bias voltage having a polarity opposite that of the ionized gas is applied to the target material to attract ions theretoward. A second DC bias voltage having a polarity opposite that of the first DC bias voltage is intermittently applied to the target material to reduce ion accumulation thereon. Related apparatus and methods of fabricating phase-changeable memory devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods thereof. The semiconductor device includes a first layer formed on a substrate, the first layer having a higher conductivity. The semiconductor device further includes a second layer formed on the first layer, the second layer including a hole exposing a portion of the first layer, the exposed portion of the first layer having a lower conductivity. The method includes forming a first layer on a substrate, the first layer having a higher conductivity, forming a second layer on the first layer, exposing a portion of the first layer by forming a hole in the second layer, performing a process on at least the exposed portion of the first layer, the process decreasing the conductivity of the exposed portion. The exposed portion including the lower conductivity or higher resistivity may block heat from conducting in the first layer.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device may include a digit line on a substrate, a first insulating layer on the digit line, and a magnetic tunnel junction memory cell on the first insulating layer so that the first insulating layer is between the digit line and the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell. A second insulating layer may be provided on the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell, wherein the second insulating layer has a hole therein exposing portions of the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell. A bit line may be provided on the second insulating layer and on portions of the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell exposed by the hole in the second insulating layer, and ferromagnetic spacers may be provided on sidewalls of at least one of the digit line and/or the bit line. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a phase-change memory device has an oxidation barrier layer to protect against memory cell contamination or oxidation and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises a molding layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. The molding layer has a protrusion portion vertically extending from a top surface thereof. The device further includes a phase-changeable material pattern adjacent the protrusion portion and a lower electrode electrically connected to the phase-changeable material pattern.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device has an oxidation barrier layer to protect against memory cell contamination or oxidation and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises a molding layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. The molding layer has a protrusion portion vertically extending from a top surface thereof. The device further includes a phase-changeable material pattern adjacent the protrusion portion and a lower electrode electrically connected to the phase-changeable material pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a phase-change non-volatile memory device can include etching-back a spacer insulating layer using a fluorine-based etch gas to form a spacer pattern in an opening in an interlayer dielectric layer and etching the spacer insulating layer in the opening using an inert gas.

Abstract: A protection layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate having a cell array region and an alignment key region. A plurality of data storage elements are formed on the protection layer in the cell array region. An insulating layer is formed on the data storage elements, a barrier layer is formed on the insulating layer, and a sacrificial layer is formed on the barrier layer. The sacrificial layer, the barrier layer and the insulating layer are patterned to form contact holes that expose the data storage elements, and conductive plugs are formed in the contact holes. The sacrificial layer is etched to leave portions of the conductive plugs protruding from the barrier layer. The protruding portions of the conductive plugs are removed by polishing.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is formed on a region of a microelectronic substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on the dielectric layer, and portions of the sacrificial layer and the dielectric layer are removed to form an opening that exposes a portion of the region. A conductive layer is formed on the sacrificial layer and in the opening. Portions of the sacrificial layer and the conductive layer on the dielectric layer are removed to leave a conductive plug in the dielectric layer and in contact with the region. Removal of the sacrificial layer and portions of the conductive layer on the dielectric layer may include polishing to expose the sacrificial layer and to leave a conductive plug in the sacrificial layer and the dielectric layer, etching the sacrificial layer to expose the dielectric layer and leave a portion of the conductive plug protruding from the dielectric layer, and polishing to remove the protruding portion of the conductive plug.

Abstract: A memory system having a plurality of semiconductor memory devices includes a plurality of memory slots, a plurality of memory modules each having memory devices and being mounted on corresponding one of the memory slots, and a plurality of reference voltage sources for providing reference voltages each having a different level to the respective memory modules.

Abstract: A memory system having a plurality of semiconductor memory devices includes a plurality of memory slots, a plurality of memory modules each having memory devices and being mounted on corresponding one of the memory slots, and a plurality of reference voltage sources for providing reference voltages each having a different level to the respective memory modules.