Bulk Effect Switching In Amorphous Material Patents (Class 257/2)
  • Patent number: 11948636
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a stacked structure including a plurality of conductive layers stacked to be apart from each other in a first direction, and a pillar structure including a resistance change portion extending in the first direction in the stacked structure, and a semiconductor portion which extends in the first direction in the stacked structure and which includes a first portion provided along the resistance change portion and a second portion extending from the first portion in at least one direction intersecting the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kamata, Yoshiaki Asao, Yukihiro Nomura, Misako Morota, Daisaburo Takashima, Takahiko Iizuka, Shigeru Kawanaka
  • Patent number: 11925127
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate, the dielectric layer having a top surface; etching an opening in the dielectric layer; forming a bottom electrode within the opening, the bottom electrode including a barrier layer; forming a phase-change material (PCM) layer within the opening and on the bottom electrode, wherein a top surface of the PCM layer is level with or below the top surface of the dielectric layer; and forming a top electrode on the PCM layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung Ying Lee, Yu Chao Lin, Shao-Ming Yu
  • Patent number: 11917930
    Abstract: A resistance change device of an embodiment includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a stack disposed between these electrodes, and including a first layer containing a resistance change material and a second layer in contact with the first layer. The resistance change material contains at least one of a first element such as Ge and a second element such as Sb, and at least one third element selected from Te, Se, S, and O. The second layer contains a crystal material containing at least one selected from a group consisting of a first material having a composition represented by (Ti,Zr,Hf)CoSb, (Zr,Hf)NiSn, or Fe(Nb,Zr,Hf)(Sb,Sn), a second material having a composition represented by Fe(V,Hf,W)(Al,Si), and a third material having a composition represented by Mg(Si,Ge,Sn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Kosaka, Hiroki Tokuhira
  • Patent number: 11910621
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate. A bottom electrode via opening is formed in the dielectric layer. A bottom electrode is formed in the bottom electrode via opening. The bottom electrode is etched back. A selector is formed in the bottom electrode via opening and over the bottom electrode. A memory layer is formed over the selector. A top electrode is formed over the memory layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jau-Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 11903334
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device includes the following operations. A first conductive plug is formed within a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A treating process is performed to transform a portion of the first conductive plug into a buffer layer, and the buffer layer caps the remaining portion of the first conductive plug. A phase change layer and a top electrode are sequentially formed over the buffer layer. A second dielectric layer is formed to encapsulate the top electrode and the underlying phase change layer. A second conductive plug is formed within the second dielectric layer and in physical contact with the top electrode. A filamentary bottom electrode is formed within the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Li Chiang, Jer-Fu Wang, Chao-Ching Cheng, Tzu-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 11871686
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit comprising a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell with recessed bottom electrode sidewalls to mitigate the effect of sidewall plasma damage. In some embodiments, the RRAM cell includes a lower electrode, a data storage element, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a pair of recessed bottom electrode sidewalls respectively on opposite sides of the lower electrode. The data storage element overlies the lower electrode and includes a pair of storage sidewalls. The storage sidewalls are respectively on the opposite sides of the lower electrode, and the recessed bottom electrode sidewalls are laterally spaced from and laterally between the storage sidewalls. The upper electrode overlies the data storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Tai Tseng, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11848052
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a ternary content addressable memory based on a memory diode, which includes a plurality of kernel units having functions of storing data, erasing/writing data, and comparing data; the kernel units are arranged in an array, all kernel units in a unit of row are connected to a same matching line, and all kernel units in a unit of column are connected to a same pair of complementary search signal lines; the kernel unit includes two memory diodes; top electrodes of a first memory diode and a second memory diode are respectively connected to a pair of complementary search signal lines, and bottom electrodes of the first memory diode and the second memory diode are connected to a same matching line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yi Zhao, Bing Chen
  • Patent number: 11805712
    Abstract: A phase change memory device includes a bottom conductive line, a dielectric layer, a bottom memory layer, and a top electrode. The dielectric layer covers the bottom conductive line. The bottom memory layer is in the dielectric layer and is electrically connected to the bottom conductive line. The bottom memory layer includes a tapered portion and a neck portion. The tapered portion is over the bottom conductive line and is tapered toward the bottom conductive line. The neck portion is directly between the tapered portion and the bottom conductive line. The neck portion has a substantially constant width. The top electrode is over and electrically connected to the bottom memory layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tung-Ying Lee, Shao-Ming Yu, Yu-Chao Lin
  • Patent number: 11785862
    Abstract: A memory cell with dual sidewall spacers and its manufacturing methods are provided. In some embodiments, the memory cell includes a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate, a resistance switching dielectric disposed over the bottom electrode and having a variable resistance, and a top electrode disposed over the resistance switching dielectric. The memory cell further includes a first sidewall spacer disposed on an upper surface of the bottom electrode and extending upwardly alongside the resistance switching dielectric and the top electrode. The memory cell further includes a second sidewall spacer having a bottom surface disposed on the upper surface of the bottom electrode and directly and conformally lining the first sidewall spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Heng Liao, Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Chang-Jen Hsieh, Hung Cho Wang
  • Patent number: 11777006
    Abstract: In a gate electrode of a nonvolatile memory device of an embodiment, a tunnel insulating film covers a channel region. A first current collector file is disposed on the side opposite to the channel region with respect to the tunnel insulating film. An ion conductor film is disposed between the tunnel insulating film and the first current collector film. A first electrode film is disposed between the tunnel insulating film and the ion conductor film. The first electrode film is in contact with the ion conductor film. A second electrode film is disposed between the ion conductor film and the first current collector film. The second electrode film is in contact with the ion conductor film. A second current collector film is disposed between the tunnel insulating film and the second electrode film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koichi Mizushima, Takao Marukame, Yoshifumi Nishi, Kumiko Nomura
  • Patent number: 11744164
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a resistive random access memory device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The resistive random access memory device also includes a resistance change layer connected between the first electrode and the second electrode. The resistive random access memory device also includes a conductive layer connected in series to the resistance change layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The resistive random access memory device in which the conductive layer includes a plurality of first material layers including a first material and a plurality of second material layers including a second material which is different from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohito Kawashima, Takahiro Nonaka, Yusuke Arayashiki, Takayuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11682717
    Abstract: Disclosed are a memory device including a vertical stack structure and a method of manufacturing the memory device. The memory device includes an insulating structure having a shape including a first surface and a protrusion portion protruding in a first direction from the first surface, a recording material layer covering the protrusion portion along a protruding shape of the protrusion portion and extending to the first surface on the insulating structure a channel layer on the recording material layer along a surface of the recording material layer, a gate insulating layer on the channel layer, and a gate electrode formed at a location on the gate insulating layer to face a second surface which is a protruding upper surface of the protrusion portion, wherein a void exists between the gate electrode and the insulating structure, defined by the insulating structure and the recording material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yumin Kim, Doyoon Kim, Seyun Kim, Jinhong Kim, Soichiro Mizusaki, Youngjin Cho
  • Patent number: 11672131
    Abstract: A memory device may include an insulating structure including a first surface and a protrusion portion protruding from the first surface in a first direction, a recording material layer on the insulating structure and extending along a protruding surface of the protrusion portion to cover the protrusion portion and extending onto the first surface of the insulating structure, a channel layer on the recording material layer and extending along a surface of the recording material layer, a gate insulating layer on the channel layer; and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating layer at a location facing a second surface of the insulating structure. The second surface of the insulating structure may be a protruding upper surface of the protrusion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yumin Kim, Seyun Kim, Jinhong Kim, Soichiro Mizusaki, Youngjin Cho
  • Patent number: 11659781
    Abstract: A selector device including a first metal electrode layer, a second metal electrode layer and a switching layer disposed between the first metal electrode layer and the second metal electrode layer. The switching layer is a stacked assembly of ABA, BAB, AB or BA, where A is an ion supply layer, and B is a conversion layer. The ion supply layer includes a chalcogenide metal material having a metal atomic content of more than 0% and not more than 50% with respect to the chalcogenide metal material. The conversion layer includes a chalcogenide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xiangshui Miao, Qi Lin, Hao Tong
  • Patent number: 11659780
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a pore-type heater having a center pore recess. The semiconductor device further includes a tapered structure formed on the pore-type heater and having a tip portion at least extending down to the center pore recess. The semiconductor device also includes a containment layer confining volatile active material during any of a fabrication and an operation of the semiconductor device performed above a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Alexander Reznicek, Choonghyun Lee, Soon-Cheon Seo
  • Patent number: 11658092
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes an electrical interconnect structure, a thermal interconnect structure, and a thermal passivation layer over a substrate. The electrical interconnect structure includes interconnect vias and interconnect wires embedded within interconnect dielectric layers. The thermal interconnect structure is arranged beside the electrical interconnect structure and includes thermal vias, thermal wires, and/or thermal layers. Further, the thermal interconnect structure is embedded within the interconnect dielectric layers. The thermal passivation layer is arranged over a topmost one of the interconnect dielectric layers. The thermal interconnect structure has a higher thermal conductivity than the interconnect dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Cherng-Shiaw Tsai, Ting-Ya Lo, Cheng-Chin Lee, Chi-Lin Teng, Kai-Fang Cheng, Hsin-Yen Huang, Hsiao-Kang Chang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 11639546
    Abstract: A method of forming a single atomic layer nanoribbon on a substrate by subjecting two or more precursor powders to a moisturized gas flow at a temperature sufficient to deposit the single atomic layer nanoribbon on the substrate via chemical vapor deposition, the single atomic layer nanoribbon having a transition metal dichalcogenide material and the substrate including fluorophlogopite mica, highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, or a combination thereof. Also described are single atomic layer nanoribbons prepared by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Avetik R. Harutyunyan, Xufan Li
  • Patent number: 11594676
    Abstract: Techniques for fabricating a volatile memory structure having a transistor and a memory component is described. The volatile memory structure comprises the memory component formed on a substrate, wherein a first shape comprising one or more pointed edges is formed on a first surface of the memory component. The volatile memory structure further comprises transistor formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the memory component to share operating voltage, wherein operating voltage applied to the transistor flows to the memory component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Choonghyun Lee, Juntao Li, Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 11586884
    Abstract: A diffusive memristor device and an electronic device for emulating a biological neuron is disclosed. The diffusive memristor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode formed opposite the bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer comprises an oxide doped with a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Jianhua Yang, Qiangfei Xia, Mark McLean, Qing Wu
  • Patent number: 11575085
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for forming memory structures are described. Forming a memory structure may include etching a stack of material including a conductive line, a first electrode and a sacrificial material to divide the stack of material into multiple sections. The process may further include depositing an oxide material in each of the first quantity of channels to form multiple oxide materials. The sacrificial material may be etched to form a second channel between two oxide materials of the multiple oxide materials. Memory material may be deposited over the two oxide materials and the second channel, which may create a void in the second channel between the memory material and the first electrode. The memory material may be heated to fill the void in the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Gotti, Pavan Reddy K. Aella, Dale W. Collins
  • Patent number: 11531871
    Abstract: A stacked neuromorphic device includes a logic die including a control circuit and configured to communicate with a host, and core dies stacked on the logic die and connected to the logic die via through silicon vias (TSVs) extending through the core dies. The core dies include a neuromorphic core die including a synapse array connected to row lines and column lines. The synapse array includes synapses configured to store weights and perform a calculation based on the weights and input data. The weights are included in layers of a neural network system. And the control circuit provides the weights to the neuromorphic core die through the TSVs and controls data transmission by the neuromorphic core die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehun Jang, Hongrak Son, Changkyu Seol, Geunyeong Yu, Chanho Yoon, Pilsang Yoon
  • Patent number: 11522129
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor structure, the semiconductor structure includes a resistance random access memory (RRAM), a first spacer located at two sides of the RRAM, a second spacer located outside the first spacer, wherein the second spacer contains metal material or metal oxide material, and a third spacer located outside the second spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Kuo
  • Patent number: 11489115
    Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a conductive column, a dielectric layer over the conductive column, and a plurality of sacrificial blocks over the dielectric layer, the plurality of sacrificial blocks surrounding the conductive column from a top view; depositing a sacrificial layer covering the plurality of sacrificial blocks, the sacrificial layer having a dip directly above the conductive column; depositing a hard mask layer over the sacrificial layer; removing a portion of the hard mask layer from a bottom of the dip; etching the bottom of the dip using the hard mask layer as an etching mask, thereby exposing a top surface of the conductive column; and forming a conductive material inside the dip, the conductive material being in physical contact with the top surface of the conductive column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Chieh Huang, Jieh-Jang Chen, Feng-Jia Shiu, Chern-Yow Hsu
  • Patent number: 11489112
    Abstract: An apparatus, includes an interconnect, including a conductive material, above a substrate and a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device coupled to the interconnect. The RRAM device includes an electrode structure above the interconnect, where an upper portion of the electrode structure has a first width. The RRAM device further includes a switching layer on the electrode structure, where the switching layer has the first width and an oxygen exchange layer, having a second width less than the first width, on a portion of the switching layer. The RRAM device further includes a top electrode above the oxygen exchange layer, where the top electrode has the second width and an encapsulation layer on a portion of the switching layer, where the switching layer extends along a sidewall of the oxygen exchange layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Namrata S. Asuri, Oleg Golonzka, Nathan Strutt, Patrick J. Hentges, Trinh T. Van, Hiten Kothari, Ameya S. Chaudhari, Matthew J. Andrus, Timothy E. Glassman, Dragos Seghete, Christopher J. Wiegand, Daniel G. Ouellette
  • Patent number: 11482548
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having a structure suitable for higher integration. The semiconductor device includes a transistor that includes a gate section, a first diffusion layer, and a second diffusion layer. The semiconductor device further includes a first electrically-conductive section a second electrically-conductive section that is electrically insulated from the first electrically-conductive section, a first storage element that is located between the first diffusion layer and the first electrically-conductive section and is electrically coupled to each of the first diffusion layer and the first electrically-conductive section, and a second storage element that is located between the second diffusion layer and the second electrically-conductive section and is electrically coupled to each of the second diffusion layer and the second electrically-conductive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoyama, Mikio Oka, Yasuo Kanda
  • Patent number: 11456334
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a data storage pattern is provided. The semiconductor device includes: specific resistivities a first conductive line disposed on a substrate and extending in a first direction; a second conductive line disposed above the first metal wiring; a plurality of variable resistance structures each of which includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of variable resistance patterns alternately stacked between the first metal wiring and the second metal wiring, wherein the plurality of variable resistance patterns are formed of a variable resistance material having a same composition, and the plurality of electrodes have different material characteristics such as different specific resistivities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Si Ho Song, Ye Ro Lee
  • Patent number: 11443805
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory includes word lines, bit lines intersecting the word lines, and memory cells coupled to and disposed between the word lines and the bit lines, each of the memory cells including a variable resistance layer in an amorphous state regardless of a value of data stored in the memory cells. In a reset operation, a memory cell is programmed to a high-resistance amorphous state by applying, to the memory cell, a sub-threshold voltage that is lower than a lowest threshold voltage among threshold voltages of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Ban, Beom Seok Lee, Woo Tae Lee, Tae Hoon Kim, Hwan Jun Zang, Hye Jung Choi
  • Patent number: 11437574
    Abstract: Provided is a resistive-switching memory containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a resistive switching layer provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the resistance of which is switched by an applied voltage, wherein the resistive switching layer contains a compound of the chemical formula (A?)2An?1BnX3n+1, wherein A? is an ammonium ion having an asymmetric structure and containing a phenyl group, A is a monovalent metal ion and X is a halogen ion, the A? has an asymmetric ion distribution which may be rotated by an applied electric field, and n is a value between 1 and ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SEOUL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Ho Won Jang, Ji su Han, Hyojung Kim
  • Patent number: 11437573
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer and a diffusion harrier layer. The top electrode is over the bottom electrode. The switching layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and configured to store data. The diffusion barrier layer is between the bottom electrode and the switching layer to obstruct diffusion of ions between the switching layer and the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Patent number: 11437571
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming air gaps within respective dielectric layer portions to reduce thermal cross-talk between adjacent bits. Each of the dielectric portions is formed on a substrate each adjacent to sidewall liners formed on sidewalls of a phase change memory (PCM) layer. The method further includes forming a pillar including the sidewall liners and the PCM layer, and forming a selector layer on the pillar and the dielectric portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wanki Kim, Fabio Carta, Chung H. Lam, Robert L. Bruce
  • Patent number: 11404113
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first program line and a second program line. A first portion of the first program line is formed in a first conductive layer, and a second portion of the first program line is formed in a second conductive layer above the first conductive layer. A first portion of the second program line is formed in the first conductive layer. A second portion of the second program line is formed in the second conductive layer. A third portion of the second program line is formed in a third conductive layer above the second conductive layer. The first portion and the second portion of the first program line have sizes that are different from each other, and the first portion, the second portion and the third portion of the second program line have sizes that are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Wei-Chang Zhao, Chih-Yu Lin, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen, Ru-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 11393527
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, one embodiment includes a memristor that is caused to be in a particular resistance state by a voltage applied across terminals of the memristor. A first logical input and a second logical input that are below a threshold voltage of the memristor are applied to a first terminal of the memristor. A first control input and a second control input are applied to a second terminal of the memristor. A logical output is determined based on a resistance state of the memristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Rawan Naous, Khaled Nabil Salama
  • Patent number: 11380842
    Abstract: A method may include forming a via opening in a dielectric layer, depositing a first conductive layer along a bottom and a sidewall of the via opening, depositing a second conductive layer on top of the first conductive layer. The method may further include recessing the first conductive layer to form a trench and exposing a sidewall of the second conductive layer, depositing a non-conductive material in the trench, and depositing a phase change material layer on top of the dielectric layer. The top surface of the second conductive layer may be in direct contact with a bottom surface of the phase change material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Juntao Li, Kangguo Cheng, Ruilong Xie, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 11362273
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory. A method for fabricating the electronic device includes forming a first memory cell extending vertically from a surface of substrate and having a first upper portion that protrudes laterally, forming a second memory cell extending vertically from the surface of the substrate and having a second upper portion that protrudes laterally towards the first upper portion, and forming a liner layer over the first and second memory cells, the liner layer having a first portion disposed over the first upper portion and a second portion disposed over the second upper portion, the first and second portions of the liner layer contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hyo-June Kim, Hyun-Seok Kang, Chi-Ho Kim, Jae-Geun Oh
  • Patent number: 11342501
    Abstract: Provided are a memory cell and a method of forming the same. The memory cell includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a storage element layer, and a protective layer. The storage element layer is disposed between the bottom and top electrodes. The protective layer covers the storage element layer and the top electrode, and a material of the protective layer is derived from the storage element layer. A semiconductor device having the memory cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chao Lin, Tung-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 11335785
    Abstract: A MOS integrated circuit basic unit includes: a drain semiconductor region; a lightly doped drain region; a channel semiconductor region; a source semiconductor region; a source electrode; a gate electrode; a gate dielectric layer; and a drain electrode. The drain semiconductor region is the bottom of the basic unit. The gate electrode has a ring structure, which surrounds the channel semiconductor region, the source semiconductor region and the lightly doped drain region. The upper surface of the gate electrode is aligned to the upper surface of the source semiconductor region; and a bottom surface of the gate electrode is lower than an interface of the lightly doped drain region and the drain semiconductor region. The gate dielectric layer is disposed between the gate electrode and the adjacent functional layer. The drain semiconductor region is connected to the drain electrode of the basic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRONIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF CHINA
    Inventors: Ping Li, Yongbo Liao, Chenxi Peng, Yaosen Li, Ruihong Nie, Ke Feng, Xianghe Zeng, Ruifeng Tang, Jiarui Zou, Zhaoxi Hu, Fan Lin
  • Patent number: 11322685
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) device may include a thermally engineered layer that is positioned adjacent to an active layer and configured to act as a heat sink during filament formation in response to applied voltages. The thermally engineered layer may act as one of the electrodes on the ReRAM device and may be adjacent to any side of the active layer. The active layer may also include a plurality of individual active layers. Each of the active layers may be associated with a different dielectric constant, such that the middle active layer has a dielectric constant that is significantly higher than the other two surrounding active layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Pe{hacek over (s)}ić, Luca Larcher, Bastien Beltrando
  • Patent number: 11316107
    Abstract: Electrical contacts may be formed by forming dielectric liners along sidewalls of a dielectric structure, forming sacrificial liners over and transverse to the dielectric liners along sidewalls of a sacrificial structure, selectively removing portions of the dielectric liners at intersections of the dielectric liners and sacrificial liners to form pores, and at least partially filling the pores with a conductive material. Nano-scale pores may be formed by similar methods. Bottom electrodes may be formed and electrical contacts may be structurally and electrically coupled to the bottom electrodes to form memory devices. Nano-scale electrical contacts may have a rectangular cross-section of a first width and a second width, each width less than about 20 nm. Memory devices may include bottom electrodes, electrical contacts having a cross-sectional area less than about 150 nm2 over and electrically coupled to the bottom electrodes, and a cell material over the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Patent number: 11315974
    Abstract: An image sensing device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The image sensing device includes a substrate including photoelectric conversion elements, and a grid structure disposed over the substrate. The grid structure includes an inner grid layer, and an outer grid layer formed outside the inner grid layer to provide air layer formed at a side surface and a top surface of the inner grid layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young Woong Do
  • Patent number: 11315943
    Abstract: Methods of forming memory structures are described. A metal film is deposited in the features of a structured substrate and volumetrically expanded to form pillars. A blanket film is deposited to a height less than the height of the pillars and the blanket film is removed from the top of the pillars. The height of the pillars is reduced so that the top of the pillars are below the surface of the blanket film and the process is optionally repeated to form a structure of predetermined height. The pillars can be removed from the features after formation of the predetermined height structure to form high aspect ratio features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Praburam Gopalraja, Susmit Singha Roy, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Srinivas Gandikota
  • Patent number: 11282788
    Abstract: A structure (interconnect or memory structure) is provided that includes a first electrically conductive structure having a concave upper surface embedded in a first interconnect dielectric material layer. A metal-containing cap having a convex bottom surface directly contacts the concave upper surface of the first electrically conductive structure. A metal-containing structure having a planar bottommost surface directly contacts a planar topmost surface of the metal-containing cap. A second electrically conductive structure contacts the planar topmost surface of the metal-containing structure. A second interconnect dielectric material layer is present on the first interconnect dielectric material layer and is located laterally adjacent to an upper portion of the metal-containing cap, the metal-containing structure, and the second electrically conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Baozhen Li
  • Patent number: 11276733
    Abstract: An array of vertically stacked tiers of memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented access lines within individual tiers of memory cells and a plurality of horizontally oriented global sense lines elevationally outward of the tiers. A plurality of select transistors is elevationally inward of the tiers. A plurality of pairs of local first and second vertical lines extends through the tiers. The local first vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with one of the global sense lines and in conductive connection with one of the two source/drain regions of one of the select transistors. The local second vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with another of the two source/drain regions of the one select transistor. Individual of the memory cells include a crossing one of the local second vertical lines and one of the horizontal access lines and programmable material there-between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Patent number: 11258013
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a phase change memory includes: forming a stacked structure including a conductive layer; a lower electrode layer over the conductive layer; an upper electrode layer over the lower electrode layer; and a phase change material between the lower and upper electrode layers; etching the upper electrode layer according to a first mask to form an upper electrode wire; simultaneously etching the phase change material according to the upper electrode wire and performing a nitridizing treatment in a same plasma etching chamber until a phase change material layer and a nitridized phase change material layer are formed beneath the upper electrode wire and a portion of the lower electrode layer is exposed, wherein the nitridized phase change material layer covers a side surface of the phase change material layer; and removing the portion of the lower electrode layer and the conductive layer therebeneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: JIANGSU ADVANCED MEMORY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., JIANGSU ADVANCED MEMORY SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Hon Lam, Yu Zhu, Kuo-Feng Lo
  • Patent number: 11251370
    Abstract: A projected memory device includes a carbon-based projection component. The device includes two electrodes, a memory segment, and a projection component. The projection component and the memory segment form a dual element that connects the two electrodes. The projection component extends parallel to and in contact with the memory segment. The memory segment includes a resistive memory material, while the projection component includes a thin film of non-insulating material that essentially comprises carbon. In a particular implementation, the non-insulating material and the projection component essentially comprises amorphous carbon. Using carbon and, in particular, amorphous carbon, as a main component of the projection component, allows unprecedented flexibility to be achieved when tuning the electrical resistance of the projection component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ghazi Sarwat Syed, Vara Sudananda Prasad Jonnalagadda, Benedikt Kersting, Manuel Le Gallo-Bourdeau, Abu Sebastian
  • Patent number: 11239326
    Abstract: A Field Effect Transistor (FET) structure having: a semiconductor; a first electrode structure; a second electrode structure; and a third electrode structure for controlling a flow of carriers in the semiconductor between the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure; a dielectric structure disposed over the semiconductor and extending horizontally between first electrode structure, the second electrode structure and the third electrode structure; and a fourth electrode passing into the dielectric structure and terminating a predetermined, finite distance above the semiconductor for controlling an electric field in the semiconductor under the fourth electrode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. LaRoche, Kelly P. Ip, Thomas E. Kazior, Kamal Tabatabaie Alavi
  • Patent number: 11215558
    Abstract: A nanostructure array including a base body and a nanostructure formed on the base body, in which a plurality of the nanostructures are arranged on the nanostructure array, the nanostructure is made of a metal having a surface plasmon and a property of absorbing and releasing hydrogen, the base body is made of a hydrogen-responsive material that reacts with hydrogen to reversibly change from a conductor to a dielectric substance, and a surface plasmon resonance occurs by light incident on the nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION YOKOHAMA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, TOKYO OHKA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nishijima, Shinji Okazaki, Takaaki Beni, Naoki Yamasaku, Takeshi Iwai
  • Patent number: 11201246
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for fabricating an FET structure. The method includes forming on a substrate a first semiconductor structure and an insulator structure covering the first semiconductor structure with a first insulator layer, forming on the first insulator layer a sacrificial layer extending to a reference plane, forming a second insulator layer on the reference plane, forming a first cavity through the second insulator layer, the sacrificial layer and the first insulator layer, thus exposing a surface of the first semiconductor structure, filling the first cavity with a second semiconductor structure extending from the surface at least up to the first reference plane, forming a third semiconductor structure on the second semiconductor structure, selectively removing the sacrificial layer, thus forming a second cavity, and filling the second cavity with a gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Clarissa Convertino, Cezar Bogdan Zota, Kirsten Emilie Moselund, Lukas Czornomaz, Davide Cutaia
  • Patent number: 11195996
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a phase-change memory device comprises: an upper electrode and a lower electrode; a phase-change layer in which a crystal state thereof is changed by heat supplied by the upper electrode and the lower electrode; and a selector which selectively switches the heat supplied by the upper electrode and the lower electrode to the phase-change layer, wherein the selector is formed of a compound which includes a transition metal in the phase-change material so as to have a high resistance when the crystalline state of the selector is crystalline and so as to have a low resistance when the crystalline state of the selector is non-crystalline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun Heub Song
  • Patent number: 11189659
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit including a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect structure includes metal layers that are stacked over one another with dielectric layers disposed between. The metal layers include a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer disposed over the lower metal layer. A bottom electrode is disposed over and in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) is disposed over an upper surface of bottom electrode. A top electrode is disposed over an upper surface of the MTJ. A sidewall spacer surrounds an outer periphery of the top electrode. Less than an entirety of a top electrode surface is in direct electrical contact with a metal via connected to the upper metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Hung Cho Wang, Jiunyu Tsai, Sheng-Huang Huang
  • Patent number: 11183633
    Abstract: A switch device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode opposed to the first electrode; and a switch layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the switch layer includes one or more kinds of chalcogen elements selected from tellurium (Te), selenium (Se), and sulfur (S) and one or more kinds of first elements selected from phosphorus (P) and arsenic (As), and further includes one or both of one or more kinds of second elements selected from boron (B) and carbon (C) and one or more kinds of third elements selected from aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and indium (In).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sei, Kazuhiro Ohba, Takeyuki Sone, Seiji Nonoguchi, Minoru Ikarashi