Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element, and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.

Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element, and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.

Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element, and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided. The semiconductor substrate has thereon a first dielectric layer, at least one conductive pattern disposed in the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer covering the first dielectric layer and the at least one conductive pattern. A via opening is formed in the second dielectric layer. The via opening exposes a portion of the at least one conductive pattern. A polish stop layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and within the via opening. A barrier layer is conformally deposited on the polish stop layer. A tungsten layer is conformally deposited on the barrier layer. The tungsten layer and the barrier layer are polished until the polish stop layer on the second dielectric layer is exposed, thereby forming a via plug in the via opening. A bottom electrode layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and the via plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided. The semiconductor substrate has thereon a first dielectric layer, at least one conductive pattern disposed in the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer covering the first dielectric layer and the at least one conductive pattern. A via opening is formed in the second dielectric layer. The via opening exposes a portion of the at least one conductive pattern. A polish stop layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and within the via opening. A barrier layer is conformally deposited on the polish stop layer. A tungsten layer is conformally deposited on the barrier layer. The tungsten layer and the barrier layer are polished until the polish stop layer on the second dielectric layer is exposed, thereby forming a via plug in the via opening. A bottom electrode layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and the via plug.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) includes a plurality of input/output units. Each input/output units can read and write memory cells simultaneously. So a read/write column to column delay time (tCCD) of the MRAM is equal to or shorter than a read/write column to column delay time of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Consequently, a data-rate of the MRAM is equal to or shorter than a data-rate of the DRAM.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) includes a plurality of input/output units. Each input/output units can read and write memory cells simultaneously. So a read/write column to column delay time (tCCD) of the MRAM is equal to or shorter than a read/write column to column delay time of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Consequently, a data-rate of the MRAM is equal to or shorter than a data-rate of the DRAM.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate includes the following steps. A gate structure is formed on a substrate. An etch stop layer is formed on the gate structure and the substrate. A dielectric layer is formed to cover the etch stop layer. The dielectric layer is planarized to form a planarized top surface of the dielectric layer and expose a portion of the etch stop layer on the gate structure. An oxygen containing treatment is performed to form an oxygen containing layer on the exposed etch stop layer. A deposition process is performed to form an oxide layer covering the planarized top surface of the dielectric layer and the oxygen containing layer.

Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element, and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.

Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor IC structure includes a substrate including at least a memory cell region and a peripheral region defined thereon, a plurality of memory cells formed in the memory cell region, at least an active device formed in the peripheral region, a plurality of contact plugs formed in the memory cell region, and at least a bit line formed in the memory cell region. The contact plugs are physically and electrically connected to the bit line. More important, bottom surfaces of the contact plugs are lower a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor IC structure includes a substrate including at least a memory cell region and a peripheral region defined thereon, a plurality of memory cells formed in the memory cell region, at least an active device formed in the peripheral region, a plurality of contact plugs formed in the memory cell region, and at least a bit line formed in the memory cell region. The contact plugs are physically and electrically connected to the bit line. More important, bottom surfaces of the contact plugs are lower a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensing device includes a multi-layered structure member. The multi-layered structure member includes a stack of alternatingly disposed magnetic layers and non-ferromagnetic layers. One of the magnetic layers is a topmost layer of the multi-layered structure member. The topmost layer includes a palladium-based material to detect hydrogen.

Abstract: A planarization method is provided and includes the following steps. A substrate having a main surface is provided. A protruding structure is formed on the main surface. An insulating layer is formed conformally covering the main surface and the top surface and the sidewall of the protruding structure. A stop layer is formed on the insulating layer and at least covers the top surface of the protruding structure. A first dielectric layer is formed blanketly covering the substrate and the protruding structure and a chemical mechanical polishing process is then performed to remove a portion of the first dielectric layer until a portion of the stop layer is exposed thereby obtaining an upper surface. A second dielectric layer having a pre-determined thickness is formed covering the upper surface.

Abstract: A method for improving wafer surface uniformity is disclosed. A wafer including a first region and a second region is provided. The first region and the second region have different pattern densities. A conductive layer is formed on the wafer. A buffer layer is then formed on the conductive layer. The buffer layer is polished until the conductive layer is exposed. A portion of the conductive layer and the remaining buffer layer are etched away.

Abstract: A planarization method includes providing a substrate having a semiconductor structure formed thereon. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and a mask layer is formed on the dielectric layer. A first chemical mechanical polishing process is performed to remove a portion of the mask layer thereby forming an opening directly over the semiconductor structure and exposing the dielectric layer. A first etching process is performed to anisotropically remove a portion of the dielectric layer from the opening. The mask layer is then removed and a second chemical mechanical polishing process is then performed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a memory region and a peripheral region defined thereon, wherein the peripheral region comprises at least one transistor, the memory region comprises a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell comprises at least one gate structure and a capacitor structure, a mask layer disposed on the capacitor structure in the memory region, and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate within the peripheral region, wherein a top surface of the dielectric layer is aligned with a top surface of the mask layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor IC structure includes a substrate including at least a memory cell region and a peripheral region defined thereon, a plurality of memory cells formed in the memory cell region, at least an active device formed in the peripheral region, a plurality of contact plugs formed in the memory cell region, and at least a bit line formed in the memory cell region. The contact plugs are physically and electrically connected to the bit line. More important, bottom surfaces of the contact plugs are lower a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor IC structure includes a substrate including at least a memory cell region and a peripheral region defined thereon, a plurality of memory cells formed in the memory cell region, at least an active device formed in the peripheral region, a plurality of contact plugs formed in the memory cell region, and at least a bit line formed in the memory cell region. The contact plugs are physically and electrically connected to the bit line. More important, bottom surfaces of the contact plugs are lower a surface of the substrate.