Abstract: A phase-change random-access memory (PRAM) device includes a chalcogenide element, the chalcogenide element comprising a material which can assume a crystalline state or an amorphous state upon application of a heating current. A first contact is connected to a first region of the chalcogenide element and has a first cross-sectional area. A second contact is connected to a second region of the chalcogenide element and having a second cross-sectional area. A first programmable volume of the chalcogenide material is defined in the first region of the chalcogenide element, a state of the first programmable volume being programmable according to a resistance associated with the first contact. A second programmable volume of the chalcogenide material is defined in the second region of the chalcogenide element, a state of the second programmable volume being programmable according to a second resistance associated with the second contact.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices are provide having a vertical diode therein. The devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in lower region of the contact hole and a bottom electrode in the contact hole has a bottom surface on a top surface of the vertical diode. The bottom electrode is self-aligned with the vertical diode. A top surface area of the bottom electrode is less than a horizontal section area of the contact hole. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices and phase change memory cells are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one phase-change pattern disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A planarized capping layer, a planarized protecting layer, and a planarized insulating layer are sequentially stacked to surround sidewalls of the at least one phase-change pattern. An interconnection layer pattern is disposed on the planarized capping layer, the planarized protecting layer, and the planarized insulating layer. The interconnection layer pattern is in contact with the phase-change pattern.

Abstract: A PRAM and method of forming the same are disclosed. In various embodiments, the PRAM includes a lower insulation layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, a phase change material pattern formed on the lower insulation layer and a heating electrode contacting the phase change material pattern. The heating electrode can be formed of a material having a positive temperature coefficient such that specific resistance of the material increases as a function of temperature.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in the contact hole and a stress buffer spacer is provided between the vertical diode and the insulating layer. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices are also provided.

Abstract: A memory device with a magnetic field generator and method of operating and manufacturing the same. In the device and method, a magnetic memory may includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) cell, a transistor, and a bit line, and a magnetic field generator external to the magnetic memory to generate a global magnetic field toward the magnetic memory in a parallel direction to the bit line.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and a first interlayer insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A hole penetrates the first interlayer insulating layer. A first and a second semiconductor pattern are sequentially stacked in a lower region of the hole. A cell electrode is provided on the second semiconductor pattern. The cell electrode has a lower surface than a top surface of the first interlayer insulating layer. A confined phase change material pattern fills the hole on the cell electrode. An upper electrode is disposed on the phase change material pattern. The phase change material pattern in the hole is self-aligned with the first and second semiconductor patterns by the hole. A method of fabricating the phase change memory device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one phase-change pattern disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A planarized capping layer, a planarized protecting layer, and a planarized insulating layer are sequentially stacked to surround sidewalls of the at least one phase-change pattern. An interconnection layer pattern is disposed on the planarized capping layer, the planarized protecting layer, and the planarized insulating layer. The interconnection layer pattern is in contact with the phase-change pattern.

Abstract: Twin cell type semiconductor memory devices are provided that include a plurality of main bit lines and a plurality of reference bit lines. Each of the reference bit lines correspond to respective ones of the main bit lines to form a plurality of bit line pairs. A plurality of sense amplifiers are provided that are electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of bit line pairs. At least one of the plurality of main bit lines or the plurality of reference bit lines is interposed between the main bit line and the corresponding reference bit line of each bit line pair. At least some of the main bit lines may cross respective ones of the reference bit lines in a sense amplifier region of the semiconductor memory device that contains the plurality of sense amplifiers.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and a first interlayer insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A hole penetrates the first interlayer insulating layer. A first and a second semiconductor pattern are sequentially stacked in a lower region of the hole. A cell electrode is provided on the second semiconductor pattern. The cell electrode has a lower surface than a top surface of the first interlayer insulating layer. A confined phase change material pattern fills the hole on the cell electrode. An upper electrode is disposed on the phase change material pattern. The phase change material pattern in the hole is self-aligned with the first and second semiconductor patterns by the hole. A method of fabricating the phase change memory device is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming a trench mask pattern on a semiconductor substrate having active regions and device isolation regions. A thermal oxidation process is performed using the trench mask pattern as a diffusion mask to form a thermal oxide layer defining a convex upper surface of the active regions. The thermal oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate are etched using the trench mask pattern as an etch mask to form trenches defining convex upper surfaces of the active regions. The trench mask pattern is removed to expose the convex upper surfaces of the active regions. Gate patterns are formed extending over the active regions.

Abstract: A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device may include a substrate, a first magnetic layer on the substrate, and a digit line on the first magnetic layer. A magnetic tunnel junction structure may be provided adjacent the digit line, and a bit line may be provided on the magnetic tunnel junction structure such that the magnetic tunnel junction structure is between the bit line and the digit line. In addition, a second magnetic layer may be provided on the bit line.

Abstract: Twin cell type semiconductor memory devices are provided that include a plurality of main bit lines and a plurality of reference bit lines. Each of the reference bit lines correspond to respective ones of the main bit lines to form a plurality of bit line pairs. A plurality of sense amplifiers are provided that are electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of bit line pairs. At least one of the plurality of main bit lines or the plurality of reference bit lines is interposed between the main bit line and the corresponding reference bit line of each bit line pair. At least some of the main bit lines may cross respective ones of the reference bit lines in a sense amplifier region of the semiconductor memory device that contains the plurality of sense amplifiers.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device includes a magnetic tunnel junction having a free layer, a first electrode (first magnetic field generating means) having a first portion that covers a surface of the free layer, and an electric power source connected to the first electrode via a connection that covers less than half of the first portion of the first electrode. Another exemplary embodiment of an MRAM device includes a magnetic tunnel junction, first and second electrodes (first and second magnetic field generating means) directly connected to the magnetic tunnel junction on opposite sides of the magnetic tunnel junction, and an electric power source having one pole connected to the first electrode via a first connection and having a second pole connected to the second electrode via a second connection, wherein the first and second connections are laterally offset from the connections between the first and second electrodes and the magnetic tunnel junction.

Abstract: Magnetic RAM cells have split sub-digit lines surrounded by cladding layers and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The magnetic RAM cells include first and second sub-digit lines formed over a semiconductor substrate. Only a bottom surface and an outer sidewall of the first sub-digit line are covered with a first cladding layer pattern. In addition, only a bottom surface and an outer sidewall of the second sub-digit line are covered with a second cladding layer pattern. The outer sidewall of the first sub-digit line is located distal from the second sub-digit line and the outer sidewall of the second sub-digit line is located distal the first sub-digit line. Methods of fabricating the magnetic RAM cells are also provided.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in the contact hole and a stress buffer spacer is provided between the vertical diode and the insulating layer. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices are also provided.

Abstract: Non-volatile memory devices are provided including a control gate electrode on a substrate; a charge storage insulation layer between the control gate electrode and the substrate; a tunnel insulation layer between the charge storage insulation layer and the substrate; a blocking insulation layer between the charge storage insulation layer and the control gate electrode; and a material layer between the tunnel insulation layer and the blocking insulation layer, the material layer having an energy level constituting a bottom of a potential well.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device includes a magnetic tunnel junction having a free layer, a first electrode (first magnetic field generating means) having a first portion that covers a surface of the free layer, and an electric power source connected to the first electrode via a connection that covers less than half of the first portion of the first electrode. Another exemplary embodiment of an MRAM device includes a magnetic tunnel junction, first and second electrodes (first and second magnetic field generating means) directly connected to the magnetic tunnel junction on opposite sides of the magnetic tunnel junction, and an electric power source having one pole connected to the first electrode via a first connection and having a second pole connected to the second electrode via a second connection, wherein the first and second connections are laterally offset from the connections between the first and second electrodes and the magnetic tunnel junction.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming a trench mask pattern on a semiconductor substrate having active regions and device isolation regions. A thermal oxidation process is performed using the trench mask pattern as a diffusion mask to form a thermal oxide layer defining a convex upper surface of the active regions. The thermal oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate are etched using the trench mask pattern as an etch mask to form trenches defining convex upper surfaces of the active regions. The trench mask pattern is removed to expose the convex upper surfaces of the active regions. Gate patterns are formed extending over the active regions.

Abstract: Methods of forming a fine pattern include forming an underlying layer on a substrate, forming preliminary hard mask patterns having a first pitch on the underlying layer, the preliminary hard mask patterns having a first width and being spaced apart from each other by a second width smaller than the first width. The underlying layer is etched using the preliminary hard mask patterns as etch masks to thereby form preliminary underlying patterns. The preliminary hard mask patterns are pulled back, thereby forming hard mask patterns on the preliminary underlying patterns. An overlayer is formed on the substrate exposing top surfaces of the hard mask patterns. The hard mask patterns and the preliminary underlying patterns disposed below the hard mask patterns are etched using the overlayer as an etch mask, thereby forming underlying patterns having a second pitch smaller than the first pitch, and the overlayer is removed.