With Means To Localize Region Of Conduction (e.g., "pore" Structure) Patents (Class 257/3)
  • Patent number: 10811604
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode separated from the first electrode, a resistive-change material layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to store information due to a resistance change caused by an electrical signal applied through the first electrode and the second electrode, and a diffusion prevention layer provided between the first electrode and the resistive-change material layer and/or between the second electrode and the resistive-change material layer and including a two-dimensional (2D) material having a monolayer thickness of about 0.35 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Minhyun Lee, Seongjun Park, Hyunjae Song, Hyeonjin Shin, Kibum Kim, Sanghun Lee, Yunho Kang
  • Patent number: 10777739
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. Such methods can include forming a first electrode, a second electrode, and a memory element directly contacting the first and second electrodes. Forming the memory element can include forming a programmable portion of the memory element isolated from the first electrode by a first portion of the memory element and isolated from the second electrode by a second portion of the memory element. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 10770656
    Abstract: Method(s) and apparatuses for forming a phase change memory. A method includes: forming a crystalline phase-change layer at a first position in along a surface of a first semiconductor layer, and forming an amorphous phase-change layer at a second position along the surface of a second semiconductor layer, wherein the crystalline phase-change layer and the amorphous phase-change layer are in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gloria Wing Yun Fraczak, Matthew Brightsky, Chung Hon Lam, Fabio Carta, Robert Bruce, Takeshi Masuda, Koukou Suu
  • Patent number: 10727277
    Abstract: A storage device includes a first conductor, a resistance variable film, and a second conductor. The resistance variable film includes a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is located on a side opposite to the first conductor with respect to the first layer, contains oxygen, and has conductivity higher than that of the first layer. The second conductor includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion abuts on the second layer of the resistance variable film. The second portion is separated from the resistance variable film as compared to the first portion. The oxygen content of the first portion is higher than that of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Murakami, Takeshi Ishizaki, Yusuke Arayashiki, Kazuhiko Yamamoto, Kana Hirayama
  • Patent number: 10720580
    Abstract: A device including a reduced top RRAM electrode structure, and method of production thereof. Embodiments include a bottom resistive random-access memory (RRAM) electrode structure over a plurality of lower metal level contacts formed laterally separated in a substrate; a resistive switching structure over the bottom RRAM electrode structure; a top RRAM electrode structure over the resistive switching structure; a protective structure over the top RRAM electrode structure; an encapsulation structure over the bottom RRAM electrode structure and on sidewalls of the resistive switching structure, the top RRAM electrode structure and the protective structure; and an Nblock layer over the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Curtis Chun-I Hsieh, Wei-Hui Hsu, Wanbing Yi, Yi Jiang, Juan Boon Tan
  • Patent number: 10714684
    Abstract: A PCM cell is provided that includes a phase change memory material that is sandwiched between top and bottom electrodes which are both composed of a doped silicon germanium alloy. A doped silicon germanium alloy has good electrical conductivity, while having a lower thermal conductivity than conventional conductive materials such as TiN or W that are typically used in PCM cells. The presence of the doped silicon germanium alloy mitigates heat loss in the PCM cell thus reducing reset current and, in some embodiments, thermal cross-talk between adjacent PCM cells. Further reduction of heat loss can be obtained by providing an airgap-containing dielectric spacer laterally adjacent to the PCM cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kangguo Cheng
  • Patent number: 10707416
    Abstract: A chalcogenide-based programmable conductor memory device and method of forming the device, wherein a nanoparticle is provided between an electrode and a chalcogenide glass region. The method of forming the nanoparticle utilizes a template over the electrode or random deposition of the nanoparticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Kristy A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10693062
    Abstract: Provision of fabrication, construction, and/or assembly of a two-terminal memory device is described herein. The two-terminal memory device can include an active region with a silicon bearing layer, an interface layer, and an active metal layer. The interface layer can be grown on the silicon bearing layer, and the growth of the interface layer can be regulated with N2O plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventors: Sundar Narayanan, Sung Hyun Jo, Liang Zhao
  • Patent number: 10680066
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a graphene device, methods of manufacturing and operating the same, and an electronic apparatus including the graphene device. The graphene device is a multifunctional device. The graphene device may include a graphene layer and a functional material layer. The graphene device may have a function of at least one of a memory device, a piezoelectric device, and an optoelectronic device within the structure of a switching device/electronic device. The functional material layer may include at least one of a resistance change material, a phase change material, a ferroelectric material, a multiferroic material, multistable molecules, a piezoelectric material, a light emission material, and a photoactive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinseong Heo, Kiyoung Lee, Seongjun Park
  • Patent number: 10680171
    Abstract: A memory using mixed valence conductive oxides is disclosed. The memory includes a mixed valence conductive oxide that is less conductive in its oxygen deficient state and a mixed electronic ionic conductor that is an electrolyte to oxygen and promotes an electric filed to cause oxygen ionic motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Hefei Reliance Memory Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe J. Chevallier, Wayne Kinney, Roy Lambertson, John E. Sanchez, Jr., Lawrence Schloss, Philip Swab, Edmond Ward
  • Patent number: 10665818
    Abstract: Provided are an encapsulation structure, a method for producing the same, and a display apparatus. The encapsulation structure comprising a plurality of layers covering the outside of a device to be encapsulated, wherein the plurality of layers comprises an inorganic layer and an organic layer, which are stacked alternatively, wherein the organic layer comprises an organic layer matrix and hydrophobic particles, and wherein the hydrophobic particle comprises an inorganic nanoparticle and a hydrophobic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Jiang, Wei Xu, Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 10636552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-function electronic device having a memristor and a memcapacitor and a method for manufacturing the same. The multi-function electronic device having a memristor and a memcapacitor has a laminated structure of a first insulating layer comprising an organic material/an active layer/a second insulating layer comprising an organic material, and thus has a resistance and capacitance varying with the applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Moon Ho Ham, Myung Woo Son, Yun Bin Jeong
  • Patent number: 10636966
    Abstract: A thermally optimized phase change memory cell includes a phase change material element disposed between first and second electrodes. The second electrode includes a thermally insulating region having a first thermal resistivity over the first electrode and a metallic contact region interposed between the phase change material element and the thermally insulating region, where the metallic contact layer has a second thermal resistivity lower than the first thermal resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Andrea Redaelli
  • Patent number: 10622562
    Abstract: An illustrative method of fabricating a memory array structure includes: forming at least one access device layer on an upper surface of a first conductive layer, the access device layer being in electrical connection with the first conductive layer; forming a sacrificial layer on an upper surface of the access device layer; etching the access device layer and the sacrificial layer using a same masking feature to form an access device that is self-aligned with a portion of the sacrificial layer; replacing a portion of the sacrificial layer with memory storage material to form a storage element, a first terminal of the storage element being in electrical connection with the access device; and forming a second conductive layer on an upper surface of the storage element, a second terminal of the storage element being in electrical connection with the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew J. BrightSky
  • Patent number: 10622555
    Abstract: A phase change memory (PCM) device including a PCM structure with a getter metal layer disposed between a phase change element (PCE) and a dielectric layer is provided. The PCM structure includes a dielectric layer, a bottom electrode, a via, a PCE, and a getter metal layer. The dielectric layer is disposed over a substrate. The bottom electrode overlies the dielectric layer. The via extends through the dielectric layer, from a bottom surface of the dielectric layer to a top surface of the dielectric layer. The phase change element overlies the bottom electrode. The getter metal layer is disposed between the dielectric layer and the PCE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Chin-Wei Liang, Hsing-Lien Lin, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Patent number: 10622551
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a bottom electrode layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) layer over the bottom electrode layer; forming a top electrode layer over the MTJ layer; and performing a single etch operation to etch the bottom electrode layer, the MTJ layer, and the top electrode layer, thereby forming a bottom electrode, a MTJ, and a top electrode respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Pin-Ren Dai, Chih-Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 10566531
    Abstract: An illustrative method of fabricating a memory array structure includes: forming at least one access device layer on an upper surface of a first conductive layer, the access device layer being in electrical connection with the first conductive layer; forming a sacrificial layer on an upper surface of the access device layer; etching the access device layer and the sacrificial layer using a same masking feature to form an access device that is self-aligned with a portion of the sacrificial layer; replacing a portion of the sacrificial layer with memory storage material to form a storage element, a first terminal of the storage element being in electrical connection with the access device; and forming a second conductive layer on an upper surface of the storage element, a second terminal of the storage element being in electrical connection with the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew J. BrightSky
  • Patent number: 10566388
    Abstract: In a shared three-dimensional vertical memory (3D-MV), each horizontal address line comprises at least two regions: a lightly-doped region and a low-resistivity region. The lightly-doped region is formed around selected memory holes and shared by a plurality of low-leakage memory cells. The low-resistivity region forms a conductive network to reduce the resistance of the horizontal address line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: HangZhou HaiCun Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10559752
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first word line and a first bit line. The semiconductor device further includes a mold film disposed between the first word line and the first bit line, and a first memory cell disposed in the mold film. The first memory cell includes a first lower electrode in contact with the first word line. Side surfaces of the first lower electrode are in direct contact with the mold film. The first memory cell includes a first phase-change memory in contact with the first lower electrode, a first intermediate electrode in contact with the first phase-change memory, a first ovonic threshold switch (OTS) in contact with the first intermediate electrode, and a first upper electrode disposed between the first OTS and the first bit line, the first upper electrode in contact with the first OTS and the first bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Il Mok Park, Tae Jin Park
  • Patent number: 10535713
    Abstract: A reactive material erasure element including a reactive material is located between PCM cells and is in close proximity to the PCM cells. The reaction of the reactive material is trigger by a current applied by a bottom electrode which has a small contact area with the reactive material erasure element, thereby providing a high current density in the reactive material erasure element to ignite the reaction of the reactive material. Due to the close proximity of the PCM cells and the reactive material erasure element, the heat generated from the reaction of the reactive material can be effectively directed to the PCM cells to cause phase transformation of phase change material elements in the PCM cells, which in turn erases data stored in the PCM cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. BrightSky, Cyril Cabral, Jr., Kenneth P. Rodbell
  • Patent number: 10522756
    Abstract: In various examples, a dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is fabricated by forming a resistive material. Prior to forming the phase change material region over the resistive material, at least an upper portion of the resistive material is exposed to an implantation or plasma that increases the resistance of an upper portion of the resistive material relative to the remainder, or bulk, of the resistive material. As a result, the portion of the resistive material proximate to the phase change material region forms a heater because of its high resistance value, but the bulk of the resistive material has a relatively lower resistance value and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and current usage of the device. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yudong Kim, Ilya V Karpov, Charles C. Kuo, Maria Santina Marangon, Tyler A. Lowrey, Greg Atwood
  • Patent number: 10505110
    Abstract: A phase change memory (PCM) cell with enhanced thermal isolation and low power consumption is provided. In some embodiments, the PCM cell comprises a bottom electrode, a dielectric layer, a heating element, and a phase change element. The dielectric layer is on the bottom electrode. The heating element extends through the dielectric layer, from a top of the dielectric layer to the bottom electrode. Further, the heating element has a pair of opposite sidewalls laterally spaced from the dielectric layer by a cavity. The phase change element overlies and contacts the heating element. An interface between the phase change element and the heating element extends continuously respectively from and to the opposite sidewalls of the heating element. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the PCM cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Jen Tsai, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 10505106
    Abstract: Switches, breakers that incorporate a phase change material are disclosed, as well as electrical devices including the same. A switch includes a first conductor, a second conductor spaced a distance from the first conductor such that the second conductor does not contact the first conductor, and a switching device electrically coupled to the first conductor, the switching device having a phase change material that, when heated, expands to electrically contact the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Shailesh N. Joshi, Naoya Take
  • Patent number: 10475994
    Abstract: This invention relates to memory resistors, arrays of memory resistors and a method of making memory resistors. In particular, this invention relates to memory resistors having an on state and an off state, comprising: (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; (c) a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes; wherein the dielectric layer comprises nanoparticles of semiconductor material, and wherein in the on state nanoparticles form at least one conductive filament encapsulated by the dielectric layer, thereby providing a conductive pathway between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: UCL Business PLC
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Kenyon, Adnan Mehonic
  • Patent number: 10460444
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory device including plural bit lines, plural word lines and a control circuit. The bit lines are configured to receive pixel data of an image. Each word line includes plural factor units. The factor units of each word line are configured differently according to plural factors of a filter. When processing a first area of the image by the filter, the control circuit inputs the pixel data within the first area of the image to the bit lines, and enables one of the word lines for operation. When processing a second area of the image by the filter, the control circuit maintains the pixel data within the second area overlapping the first area on the bit lines, and inputs the pixel data within the second area which doesn't overlap the first area to the bit lines, and enables another one of the word lines for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Yu Lin, Feng-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 10453872
    Abstract: An array substrate and a manufacturing method of a flexible display device utilizes a first source/drain electrode and a second source/drain electrode disposed on an array substrate to connect with each other through a first via hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xing Wang
  • Patent number: 10439001
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to integrated circuit devices, and in particular to cross-point memory arrays and methods for fabricating the same. In one aspect, a memory device of the memory array comprises a substrate and a memory cell stack formed between and electrically connected to first and second conductive lines. The memory cell stack comprises a first memory element over the substrate and a second memory element formed over the first element, wherein one of the first and second memory elements comprises a storage element and the other of the first and second memory elements comprises a selector element. The memory cell stack additionally comprises a first pair of sidewalls opposing each other and a second pair of sidewalls opposing each other and intersecting the first pair of sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuele Sciarrillo
  • Patent number: 10418119
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to operating a memory cell as an anti-fuse, such as for use in phase change memory, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Redaelli
  • Patent number: 10290575
    Abstract: Conductive structures include a plurality of conductive steps and a contact extending at least partially therethrough in communication with at least one of the plurality of conductive steps and insulated from at least another one of the conductive steps. Devices may include such conductive structures. Systems may include a semiconductor device and a stair step conductive structure having a plurality of contacts extending through a step of the stair step conductive structure. Methods of forming conductive structures include forming contacts in contact holes formed through at least one conductive step of a conductive structure. Methods of forming electrical connections in stair step conductive structures include forming contacts in contact holes formed through each step of the stair step conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Eric H. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10276635
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a memory device with diodes coupled to memory elements. Each diode may be formed in a recess of the memory device. The recess may have a polygonal sidewall. The diode may include a first material of a first conductivity type (e.g., n-type) and a second material of a second conductive type (e.g., p-type) formed within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 10262735
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to memory devices and, more particularly, to programming a memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Umberto Di Vincenzo, Carlo Lisi
  • Patent number: 10217746
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first electrically conductive layers located over a top surface of a substrate, such that each of the first insulating layers and the first electrically conductive layers includes a respective horizontally-extending portion and a respective non-horizontally-extending portion, memory stack structures extending through a memory array region of the first alternating stack that includes the horizontally-extending portions of the first electrically conductive layers, such that each of the memory stack structures comprises a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel, a mesa structure located over the substrate, such that each respective non-horizontally-extending portion of the first insulating layers and the first electrically conductive layers is located over a sidewall of the mesa structure, and contact structures that contact a respective one of the non-horizontally-extending portions of the first electric
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Tae-Kyung Kim, Raghuveer S. Makala, Yanli Zhang, Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Daxin Mao, Jixin Yu, Yiyang Gong, Kazuto Watanabe, Michiaki Sano, Haruki Urata, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10217661
    Abstract: An article may include a structure including a patterned metal on a surface of a substrate, the patterned metal including metal features separated by gaps of an average dimension of less than about 1000 nm. A porous low dielectric constant material having a dielectric value of less than about 2.7 substantially occupies all gaps. An interface between the metal features and the porous low dielectric constant material may include less than about 0.1% by volume of voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Bruce, Geraud J. Dubois, Gregory Fritz, Teddie P. Magbitang, Hiroyuki Miyazoe, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 10210929
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device is provided that uses one or more volatile elements. In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory device can include a resistive two-terminal selector that can be in a low resistive state or a high resistive state depending on the voltage being applied. A MOS (“metal-oxide-semiconductor”) transistor in addition to a capacitor or transistor acting as a capacitor can also be included. A first terminal of the capacitor can be connected to a voltage source, and the second terminal of the capacitor can be connected to the selector device. A floating gate of an NMOS transistor can be connected to the other side of the selector device, and a second NMOS transistor can be connected in series with the first NMOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CROSSBAR, INC.
    Inventors: Hagop Nazarian, Sung Hyun Jo
  • Patent number: 10199575
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The RRAM device has a bottom electrode arranged over a bottom electrode via. A variable resistive dielectric layer is arranged over the bottom electrode. The variable resistive dielectric layer extends to within a recess in an upper surface of the bottom electrode. A top electrode is disposed over the variable resistive dielectric layer. A top electrode via extends outward from an upper surface of the top electrode at a position centered along a first axis that is laterally offset from a second axis centered upon the recess within the upper surface of the bottom electrode. The top electrode via has a smaller total width than the top electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu, Kuo-Chi Tu, Yu-Wen Liao, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chin-Chieh Yang, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Chun You
  • Patent number: 10186742
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a reconfigurable circuit comprising a phase-change material switch. The phase-change material switch includes an actuation portion configured to receive a control signal having one of a first state and a second state and to emit a first heat profile in response to the first state of the control signal and a second heat profile in response to the second state of the control signal. The phase-change material switch also includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material in proximity with the actuation portion. The switch portion can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from an input to an output of the phase-change material switch and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to substantially block the input signal from the input to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Eisenzweig Sherwin, Robert S. Howell, Pavel Borodulin, Harold Clifton Hearne, III, Nabil Abdel-Meguid El-Hinnawy, Robert Miles Young
  • Patent number: 10157963
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a memory structure disposed above the substrate. An embodied memory structure includes a bottom electrode disposed above the substrate, a barrier layer disposed at the bottom electrode, a resistance switching layer disposed on the bottom electrode and above the barrier layer, and a top electrode disposed on the resistance switching layer and covering the resistance switching layer. A bottom surface of the resistance switching layer is spaced apart from an uppermost surface of the barrier layer by a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dai-Ying Lee, Erh-Kun Lai, Feng-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 10134810
    Abstract: Three dimensional memory arrays and methods of forming the same are provided. An example three dimensional memory array can include a stack comprising a plurality of first conductive lines separated from one another by at least an insulation material, and at least one conductive extension arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines such that the at least one conductive extension intersects each of the plurality of first conductive lines. Storage element material is arranged around the at least one conductive extension, and a select device is arranged around the storage element material. The storage element material is radially adjacent an insulation material separating the plurality of first conductive lines, and the plurality of materials arranged around the storage element material are radially adjacent each of the plurality of first conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Scott E. Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 10096652
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a first wiring line extending in a first direction; a second wiring line extending in a second direction, the second direction intersecting the first direction; a variable resistance film disposed at an intersection of the first wiring line and the second wiring line; a channel body disposed at a first end of the first wiring line; a third wiring line electrically connected to the first wiring line via the channel body; and a gate wiring line extending in the first direction and facing the channel body from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiko Sasaki, Takeshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10074695
    Abstract: A negative differential resistance (NDR) device for non-volatile memory cells in crossbar arrays is provided. Each non-volatile memory cell is situated at a crosspoint of the array. Each non-volatile memory cell comprises a switching layer in series with an NDR material containing fast diffusive atoms that are electrochemically inactive. The switching layer is positioned between two elec-trodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Jianhua Yang, Stanley Williams, Max Zhang, Zhiyong Li
  • Patent number: 10056329
    Abstract: An antifuse is provided that is embedded in a semiconductor substrate. The antifuse has a large contact area, and a reduced breakdown voltage. After blowing the antifuse, the antifuse has a low resistance. The antifuse may have a single breakdown point or multiple breakdown points. The antifuse includes a metal or metal alloy structure that is separated from a doped semiconductor material portion of the semiconductor substrate by an antifuse dielectric material liner. The metal or metal alloy structure and the antifuse dielectric material liner have topmost surfaces that are coplanar with each other as well as being coplanar with a topmost surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Praneet Adusumilli, Keith E. Fogel, Alexander Reznicek, Oscar van der Straten
  • Patent number: 10020053
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to electronic devices, and more specifically, to multi-level phase change devices. In one embodiment, a memory cell device is provided. The memory cell device generally includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a cell body between the top surface and the bottom surface. The cell body may include a plurality of phase change material layers, which may be used to store data of the cell. In another embodiment, a method of programming a memory cell is provided. The method generally may include applying a sequence of different pulses to each phase change material layer of the cell as the voltage of each pulse in the sequence is ratcheted down from the start of a write cycle to the end of a write cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lille, Luiz M. Franca-Neto
  • Patent number: 9997702
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to fabrication of layered correlated electron materials (CEMs) in which a first group of one or more layers may comprise a first concentration of a dopant species, and wherein a second group of one or more layers may comprise a second concentration of a dopant species. In other embodiments, a CEM may comprise one or more regions of graded concentration of a dopant species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ARM Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimberly Gay Reid, Lucian Shifren
  • Patent number: 9985204
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device including first lines and second lines overlapping and intersecting each other, variable resistance memory elements disposed at intersections between the first lines and the second lines, and switching elements disposed between the variable resistance memory elements and the first lines. At least one of the switching elements includes first and second chalcogenide compound layers, and conductive nano-dots disposed between the first and second chalcogenide compound layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinwoo Lee, Jeonghee Park, Dongho Ahn, Zhe Wu, Heeju Shin, Ja bin Lee
  • Patent number: 9978810
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. An example 3D memory array may include an electrode plane and a memory material disposed through and coupled to the electrode plane. A memory cell included in the memory material is aligned in a same plane as the electrode plane, and the memory cell is configured to exhibit a first threshold voltage representative of a first logic state and a second threshold voltage representative of a second logic state. A conductive pillar is disposed through and coupled to the memory cell, wherein the conductive pillar and electrode plane are configured to provide a voltage across the memory cell to write a logic state to the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Fabio Pellizzer
  • Patent number: 9953202
    Abstract: An arrangement of individually addressable nanostructures (200) in an array format on a substrate (100) (non-conducting, flexible or rigid) with electrical portions (conducing) in the substrate where the electrical portions form electrical contacts with the nanostructures is utilized to form individually addressable nanostructures. The said nanostructures can be 1-1,000,000 nm in base size and range from 1-1,000,000 nm in height. The distance between the said nanostructures in the array can also range from 10-1,000,000 nm. The said nanostructures are covered in a dielectric material (300) (air, polymer, ceramic) that is at least 5-500,000 nm thicker than the height of the said nanostructures. The dielectric properties of the dielectric material are an important component in determining the capacitance/supercapacitance properties of the fingerprint device. A top electrode (400) is placed on the face of dielectric film opposite to the face in contact with the substrate where nanostructures are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Waqas Khalid
  • Patent number: 9947720
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. An example 3D memory array may include an electrode plane and a memory material disposed through and coupled to the electrode plane. A memory cell included in the memory material is aligned in a same plane as the electrode plane, and the memory cell is configured to exhibit a first threshold voltage representative of a first logic state and a second threshold voltage representative of a second logic state. A conductive pillar is disposed through and coupled to the memory cell, wherein the conductive pillar and electrode plane are configured to provide a voltage across the memory cell to write a logic state to the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Fabio Pellizzer
  • Patent number: 9947721
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a three-dimensional memory array are described. Memory cells may transform when exposed to elevated temperatures, including elevated temperatures associated with a read or write operation of a neighboring cell, corrupting the data stored in them. To prevent this thermal disturb effect, memory cells may be separated from one another by thermally insulating regions that include one or several interfaces. The interfaces may be formed by layering different materials upon one another or adjusting the deposition parameters of a material during formation. The layers may be created with planar thin-film deposition techniques, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Paolo Fantini
  • Patent number: 9917252
    Abstract: A Ga—Sb—Ge family of phase change memory materials is described, including GaxSbyGez, wherein a Ga atomic concentration x is within a range from 20% to 45%, a Sb atomic concentration y is within a range from 25% to 40% and a Ge atomic concentration z is within a range from 25% to 55%, is described wherein the material has a crystallization transition temperature Tx greater than 360° C. Adding impurities including one or more element selected from silicon Si, carbon C, oxygen O and nitrogen N, can also increase the crystallization transition temperature Tx to temperatures greater than 400° C., and also reduce reset current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huai-Yu Cheng, Hsiang-Lan Lung
  • Patent number: 9887353
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory that includes: a first conductive pattern disposed over a substrate; a first selection element layer disposed over the first conductive pattern and having one or more first grooves therein, the first grooves overlapping the first conductive pattern; a first variable resistance layer whose sidewalls and bottom are surrounded by the first selection element layer, the first variable resistance layer being buried in the first groove; and a second conductive pattern that overlaps the first variable resistance layer and is disposed over the first variable resistance layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Wan-Gee Kim