Patents by Inventor Wei Zhuang

Wei Zhuang 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: 6939724
    Abstract: A method for obtaining reversible resistance switches on a PCMO thin film when integrated with a highly crystallized seed layer includes depositing, by MOCVD, a seed layer of PCMO, in highly crystalline form, thin film, having a thickness of between about 50 ? to 300 ?, depositing a second PCMO thin film layer on the seed layer, by spin coating, having a thickness of between about 500 ? to 3000 ?, to form a combined PCMO layer; increasing the resistance of the combined PCMO film in a semiconductor device by applying a negative electric pulse of between about ?4V to ?5V, having a pulse width of between about 75 nsec to 1 ?sec; and decreasing the resistance of the combined PCMO layer in a semiconductor device by applying a positive electric pulse of between about +2.5V to +4V, having a pulse width greater than 2.0 ?sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Wei Zhuang, Tingkai Li, David R. Evans, Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei Pan
  • Patent number: 6940113
    Abstract: Resistive cross-point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory devices are comprised by an active layer of resistive memory material interposed between upper electrodes and lower electrodes. A bit region located within the resistive memory material at the cross-point of an upper electrode and a lower electrode has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit region, decrease the resistivity of the bit region, or determine the resistivity of the bit region. A diode is formed between at the interface between the resistive memory material and the lower electrodes, which may be formed as doped regions, isolated from each other by shallow trench isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6927120
    Abstract: Asymmetrically structured memory cells and a fabrication method are provided. The method comprises: forming a bottom electrode; forming an electrical pulse various resistance (EPVR) first layer having a polycrystalline structure over the bottom electrode; forming an EPVR second layer adjacent the first layer, with a nano-crystalline or amorphous structure; and, forming a top electrode overlying the first and second EPVR layers. EPVR materials include CMR, high temperature super conductor (HTSC), or perovskite metal oxide materials. In one aspect, the EPVR first layer is deposited with a metalorganic spin coat (MOD) process at a temperature in the range between 550 and 700 degrees C. The EPVR second layer is formed at a temperature less than, or equal to the deposition temperature of the first layer. After a step of removing solvents, the MOD deposited EPVR second layer is formed at a temperature less than, or equal to the 550 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Tingkal Li, David R. Evans, Wei-Wei Zhuang, Wei Pan
  • Patent number: 6921671
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric thin film on an iridium-composite electrode in an integrated circuit device includes preparing a substrate; depositing an iridium-composite bottom electrode on the substrate; annealing the bottom electrode in a first annealing step; depositing a buffer layer on the bottom electrode, including depositing a layer of material taken from the group of materials consisting of HfO2, ZrO2, TiO2, LaOx, La—Al—O, Ti—Al—O, Hf—Al—O, Zr—Al—O, Hf—Zr—O, Zr—Ti—O, Hf—Ti—O, La—Zr—O, La—Hf—O, and La—Ti—O; annealing the buffer layer in a second annealing step; depositing a layer of Bi4Ti3O12, to a thickness of between about 20 nm to 500 nm, on the buffer layer; annealing the ferroelectric layer in a third annealing step; and completing the integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fengyan Zhang, Wei-Wei Zhuang, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Publication number: 20050158994
    Abstract: A Pr1-XCaXMnO3 (PCMO) spin-coat deposition method for eliminating voids is provided, along with a void-free PCMO film structure. The method comprises: forming a substrate, including a noble metal, with a surface; forming a feature, such as a via or trench, normal with respect to the substrate surface; spin-coating the substrate with acetic acid; spin-coating the substrate with a first, low concentration of PCMO solution; spin-coating the substrate with a second concentration of PCMO solution, having a greater concentration of PCMO than the first concentration; baking and RTA annealing (repeated one to five times); post-annealing; and, forming a PCMO film with a void-free interface between the PCMO film and the underlying substrate surface. The first concentration of PCMO solution has a PCMO concentration in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 moles (M). The second concentration of PCMO solution has a PCMO concentration in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Wei-Wei Zhuang, Lisa Stecker, Gregory Stecker, Sheng Hsu
  • Publication number: 20050141269
    Abstract: Resistive cross point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory device comprises an active layer of perovskite material interposed between upper electrodes and lower electrodes. A bit region located within the active layer at the cross point of an upper electrode and a lower electrode has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit region, decrease the resistivity of the bit region, or determine the resistivity of the bit region. Memory circuits are provided to aid in the programming and read out of the bit region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Sheng Hsu, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6911361
    Abstract: A method of applying a PCMO thin film on an iridium substrate for use in a RRAM device, includes preparing a substrate; depositing a barrier layer on the substrate; depositing a layer of iridium on the barrier layer; spin coating a layer of PCMO on the iridium; baking the PCMO and substrate in a three-step baking process; post-bake annealing the substrate and the PCMO in a RTP chamber; repeating said spin coating, baking and annealing steps until the PCMO has a desired thickness; annealing the substrate and PCMO; depositing a top electrode; and completing the RRAM device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fengyan Zhang, Wei-Wei Zhuang, Wei Pan, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Publication number: 20050136602
    Abstract: A memory array dual-trench isolation structure and a method for forming the same have been provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Sheng Hsu, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6905937
    Abstract: Resistive cross-point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory devices are comprised by an active layer of resistive memory material interposed between upper electrodes and lower electrodes. A bit region located within the resistive memory material at the cross-point of an upper electrode and a lower electrode has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit region, decrease the resistivity of the bit region, or determine the resistivity of the bit region. A diode is formed between at the interface between the resistive memory material and the lower electrodes, which may be formed as doped regions. The resistive cross-point memory device is formed by doping lines within a substrate one polarity, and then doping regions of the lines the opposite polarity to form diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6899858
    Abstract: A method of preparing a hafnium nitrate thin film includes placing phosphorus pentoxide in a first vessel; connecting the first vessel to a second vessel containing hafnium tetrachloride; cooling the second vessel with liquid nitrogen; dropping fuming nitric acid into the first vessel producing N2O5 gas; allowing the N2O5 gas to enter the second vessel; heating the first vessel until the reaction is substantially complete; disconnecting the two vessels; removing the second vessel from the liquid nitrogen bath; heating the second vessel; refluxing the contents of the second vessel; drying the compound in the second vessel by dynamic pumping; purifying the compound in the second vessel by sublimation to form Hf(NO3)4, and heating the Hf(NO3)4 to produce HfO2 for use in an ALCVD process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Wei Zhuang, David R. Evans, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 6897074
    Abstract: A method for forming a doped PGO ferroelectric thin film, and related doped PGO thin film structures are described. The method comprising: forming either an electrically conductive or electrically insulating substrate; forming a doped PGO film overlying the substrate; annealing; crystallizing; and, forming a single-phase c-axis doped PGO thin film overlying the substrate, having a Curie temperature of greater than 200 degrees C. Forming a doped PGO film overlying the substrate includes depositing a doped precursor in the range between 0.1N and 0.5N, with a molecular formula of Pby-xMxGe3O11, where: M is a doping element; y=4.5 to 6; and, x=0.1 to 1. The element M can be Sn, Ba, Sr, Cd, Ca, Pr, Ho, La, Sb, Zr, or Sm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fengyan Zhang, Wei-Wei Zhuang, Jong-Jan Lee, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 6887523
    Abstract: An MOCVD process is provided for forming metal-containing films having the general formula M?xM?(1?x)MyOz, wherein M? is a metal selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Y, Sc, Yb, Lu, and Gd; M? is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Zn, and Cd; M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ce, V, Fe, Co, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Zr, Hf and Ni; x has a value from 0 to 1; y has a value of 0, 1 or 2; and z has an integer value of 1 through 7. The MOCVD process uses precursors selected from alkoxide precursors, ?-diketonate precursors, and metal carbonyl precursors in combination to produce metal-containing films, including resistive memory materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Wei Zhuang, Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei Pan
  • Publication number: 20050083757
    Abstract: Resistive cross-point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory devices are comprised by an active layer of resistive memory material interposed between upper electrodes and lower electrodes. A bit region located within the resistive memory material at the cross-point of an upper electrode and a lower electrode has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit region, decrease the resistivity of the bit region, or determine the resistivity of the bit region. A diode is formed between at the interface between the resistive memory material and the lower electrodes, which may be formed as doped regions. The resistive cross-point memory device is formed by doping lines within a substrate one polarity, and then doping regions of the lines the opposite polarity to form diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Sheng Hsu, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6875651
    Abstract: A memory array dual-trench isolation structure and a method for forming the same have been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6876521
    Abstract: A solid-state inductor and a method for forming a solid-state inductor are provided. The method comprises: forming a bottom electrode; forming a colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) thin film overlying the bottom electrode; forming a top electrode overlying the CMR thin film; applying an electrical field treatment to the CMR thin film in the range of 0.4 to 1 megavolts per centimeter (MV/cm) with a pulse width in the range of 100 nanoseconds (ns) to 1 millisecond (ms); in response to the electrical field treatment, converting the CMR thin film into a CMR thin film inductor; applying a bias voltage between the top and bottom electrodes; and, in response to the applied bias voltage, creating an inductance between the top and bottom electrodes. When the applied bias voltage is varied, the inductance varies in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Pan, Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20050054138
    Abstract: Resistive cross-point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory devices are comprised by an active layer of resistive memory material interposed between upper electrodes and lower electrodes. A bit region located within the resistive memory material at the cross-point of an upper electrode and a lower electrode has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit region, decrease the resistivity of the bit region, or determine the resistivity of the bit region. A diode is formed between at the interface between the resistive memory material and the lower electrodes, which may be formed as doped regions, isolated from each other by shallow trench isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Sheng Hsu, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20050054119
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a buffered-layer memory cell. The method comprises: forming a bottom electrode; forming a colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) memory film overlying the bottom electrode; forming a memory-stable semiconductor buffer layer, typically a metal oxide, overlying the memory film; and, forming a top electrode overlying the semiconductor buffer layer. In some aspects of the method the semiconductor buffer layer is formed from YBa2Cu3O7?X (YBCO), indium oxide (In2O3), or ruthenium oxide (RuO2), having a thickness in the range of 10 to 200 nanometers (nm). The top and bottom electrodes may be TiN/Ti, Pt/TiN/Ti, In/TiN/Ti, PtRhOx compounds, or PtIrOx compounds. The CMR memory film may be a Pr1?XCaXMnO3 (PCMO) memory film, where x is in the region between 0.1 and 0.6, with a thickness in the range of 10 to 200 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Sheng Hsu, Tingkai Li, Fengyan Zhang, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang, David Evans, Masayuki Tajiri
  • Publication number: 20050052942
    Abstract: Resistive cross-point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory devices are comprised by an active layer of resistive memory material interposed between upper electrodes and lower electrodes. A bit region located within the resistive memory material at the cross-point of an upper electrode and a lower electrode has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit region, decrease the resistivity of the bit region, or determine the resistivity of the bit region. A diode is formed between at the interface between the resistive memory material and the lower electrodes, which may be formed as doped regions, isolated from each other by shallow trench isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Sheng Hsu, Wei Pan, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6861687
    Abstract: Resistive cross point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory device comprises an active layer of perovskite material interposed between upper electrodes and lower electrodes. A bit region located within the active layer at the cross point of an upper electrode and a lower electrode has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit region, decrease the resistivity of the bit region, or determine the resistivity of the bit region. Memory circuits are provided to aid in the programming and read out of the bit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei-Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 6858905
    Abstract: Low cross talk resistive cross point memory devices are provided, along with methods of manufacture and use. The memory device comprises a bit formed using a perovskite material interposed at a cross point of an upper electrode and lower electrode. Each bit has a resistivity that can change through a range of values in response to application of one, or more, voltage pulses. Voltage pulses may be used to increase the resistivity of the bit, decrease the resistivity of the bit, or determine the resistivity of the bit. Memory circuits are provided to aid in the programming and read out of the bit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Wei-Wei Zhuang