With Specified Electrode Composition Or Configuration Patents (Class 257/4)
  • Patent number: 12374395
    Abstract: A resistive memory apparatus including a memory cell array, at least one dummy transistor and a control circuit is provided. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. Each of the memory cells includes a resistive switching element. The dummy transistor is electrically isolated from the resistive switching element. The control circuit is coupled to the memory cell array and the dummy transistor. The control circuit is configured to provide a first bit line voltage, a source line voltage and a word line voltage to the dummy transistor to drive the dummy transistor to output a saturation current. The control circuit is further configured to determine a value of a second bit line voltage for driving the memory cells according to the saturation current. In addition, an operating method and a memory cell array of the resistive memory apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Che Lin, Min-Chih Wei, Ping-Kun Wang, Yu-Ting Chen, Chih-Cheng Fu, Chang-Tsung Pai
  • Patent number: 12366881
    Abstract: A method is disclosed herein which includes obtaining an array of analog memory elements. It also includes programming an analog memory element included in the array, where prior to being programmed the analog memory element has a first value for an electrical property, and where it is programmed to cause the analog memory element to perform a computation included in a series of computations performed by the array. Programming the analog memory element includes applying light or heat to the analog memory element, where a value of the electrical property is changed from the first value to a second value based upon application of light or heat to the analog memory element, and further where upon the value of the electrical property being changed from the first value to the second value, the analog memory element is configured to perform the computation responsive to receipt of an input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Alec Talin, Elliot James Fuller
  • Patent number: 12354695
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated chip having a bottom dielectric layer overlying a conductive wire. A bottom electrode is disposed within the bottom dielectric layer. A data storage layer overlies the bottom electrode. A top electrode overlies the data storage layer. A top surface of the top electrode is disposed below a top surface of the data storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Ting Sung, Chung-Chiang Min, Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Patent number: 12356875
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has an RRAM cell that includes a top electrode, an RRAM dielectric layer, and a bottom electrode having a surface that interfaces with the RRAM dielectric layer. Oxides of the bottom electrode are substantially absent from the bottom electrode surface. The bottom electrode has a higher density in a zone adjacent the surface as compared to a bulk region of the bottom electrode. The surface has a roughness Ra of 2 nm or less. A process for forming the surface includes chemical mechanical polishing followed by hydrofluoric acid etching followed by argon ion bombardment. An array of RRAM cells formed by this process is superior in terms of narrow distribution and high separation between low and high resistance states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12349605
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an OxRAM type resistive memory cell including a silicon oxide layer, the method including determining manufacturing parameter values enabling the resistive memory cell to have an initial resistance between 107? and 3·109?; and forming on a substrate a stack successively including a first electrode, the silicon oxide layer and a second electrode, by applying the manufacturing parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES, WEEBIT NANO LTD
    Inventors: Gabriel Molas, Guiseppe Piccolboni, Amir Regev, Gaël Castellan, Jean-François Nodin
  • Patent number: 12349607
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same are provided in which memory cells are manufactured with a double sided word line structure. In embodiments a first word line is located on a first side of the memory cells and a second word line is located on a second side of the memory cells opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Ying Lee, Shao-Ming Yu, Cheng-Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 12336443
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory is provided. The resistive random access memory includes a conductive line structure and a memory unit. The conductive line structure is disposed in an array area and a periphery circuit area. The memory unit is disposed on the conductive line structure in the array area. The memory unit includes a lower electrode, a resistive switching layer, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode is disposed on the conductive line structure. The resistive switching layer is disposed on the lower electrode. The upper electrode is disposed on the resistive switching layer. The upper surface of the conductive line structure is in direct contact with the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chi-Ching Liu, Chih-Chao Huang, Shih-Ning Tsai
  • Patent number: 12336194
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hybrid random access memory in a system-on-chip, including steps of providing a semiconductor substrate with a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) region and a resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) region, forming multiple ReRAM cells in the ReRAM region on the semiconductor substrate, forming a first dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the ReRAM cells are in the first dielectric layer, forming multiple MRAM cells in the MRAM region on the first dielectric layer, and forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, wherein the MRAM cells are in the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Kai Hsu, Hui-Lin Wang, Ching-Hua Hsu, Yi-Yu Lin, Ju-Chun Fan, Hung-Yueh Chen
  • Patent number: 12336442
    Abstract: A memory device includes a bottom electrode, a buffer element, a metal-containing oxide portion, a resistance switch element, and a top electrode. The buffer element is over the bottom electrode. The metal-containing oxide portion is over the buffer element, in which the metal-containing oxide portion has a same metal material as that of the buffer element. The resistance switch element is over the metal-containing oxide portion. The top electrode is over the resistance switch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Hung Pan, Chih-Hsiang Chang, Yu-Wen Liao, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12336193
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first conductive lines extending in a first direction, second conductive lines extending in a second direction, memory cells disposed between the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines, each memory cell disposed at an intersection of a first conductive line and a second conductive line, and a passive material between the memory cells and at least one of the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines. Related semiconductor devices and electronic devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Innocenzo Tortorelli, Fabio Pellizzer
  • Patent number: 12322699
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe low capacitance interconnect structures for semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing such devices. According to an embodiment of the invention, a low capacitance interconnect structure comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD). First and second interconnect lines are disposed in the ILD in an alternating pattern. The top surfaces of the first interconnect lines may be recessed below the top surfaces of the second interconnect lines. Increases in the recess of the first interconnect lines decreases the line-to-line capacitance between neighboring interconnects. Further embodiments include utilizing different dielectric materials as etching caps above the first and second interconnect lines. The different materials may have a high selectivity over each other during an etching process. Accordingly, the alignment budget for contacts to individual interconnect lines is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Jezewski, Jasmeet S. Chawla
  • Patent number: 12295272
    Abstract: A method for making a phase change memory includes a step of forming an array of phase change memory cells, with each cell being separated from neighboring cells in the same line of the array and from neighboring cells in the same column of the array, by the same first distance. The method further includes a step of etching one memory cell out of N, with N being at least equal to 2, in each line or each column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Favennec, Fausto Piazza
  • Patent number: 12279538
    Abstract: The present invention disclosures a phase change memory unit, wherein comprising from bottom to top: a bottom electrode, a heating electrode, a phase change unit and a top electrode, the phase change unit is a longitudinally arranged column, which comprises: a cylindrical selector layer, a circular barrier layer and a circular phase change material layer form inside to outside; wherein, the bottom electrode, the heating electrode and the circular phase change material layer are sequentially connected, and the selector layer is connected to the top electrode. The present invention using trench sidewall deposition or via filling, forming the cylindrical phase change unit which is a circular nested structure, which can improve reliability of a device, greatly reduce volume of a phase change operation area and heat energy required, thus heating efficiency is improved obviously, the power consumption of the device is reduced, and high-density storage is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignees: Shanghai Integrated Circuit Equipment & Materials Industry Innovation Center Co., Ltd, SHANGHAI IC R&D CENTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Zhong, Ming Li, Shoumian Chen, Gaoming Feng
  • Patent number: 12279537
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device in which performance is improved by reducing a wiring resistance is provided. The semiconductor memory device comprising an inter-wiring insulation film on a substrate, a first wiring pattern extending in a first direction, in the inter-wiring insulation film, a barrier insulation film that is on an upper surface of the inter-wiring insulation film, a barrier conductive pattern electrically connected to the first wiring pattern, in the barrier insulation film, a memory cell electrically connected to the barrier conductive pattern and including a selection pattern and a variable resistor pattern, and a second wiring pattern extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, on the memory cell, wherein a width of the barrier conductive pattern in the second direction is different from a width in the second direction of a portion of the memory cell that is adjacent to the barrier conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye Ji Yoon, O Ik Kwon, Yun Seung Kang, Sang-Kuk Kim, Gwang-Hyun Baek, Tae Hyung Lee, Su Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 12268103
    Abstract: Phase change material (PCM) switches and methods of fabrication thereof that provide improved thermal confinement within a phase change material layer. A PCM switch may include a dielectric capping layer between a heater pad and the phase change material layer of the PCM switch that is laterally-confined such opposing sides of the dielectric capping layer the heater pad may form continuous surfaces extending transverse to the signal transmission pathway across the PCM switch. Heat transfer from the heater pad through the dielectric capping layer to the phase change material layer may be predominantly vertical, with minimal thermal dissipation along a lateral direction. The localized heating of the phase change material may improve the efficiency of the PCM switch enabling lower bias voltages, minimize the formation of regions of intermediate resistivity in the PCM switch, and improve the parasitic capacitance characteristics of the PCM switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Pin Chang, Yu-Wei Ting, Tsung-Hao Yeh, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 12256652
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit including one or more memory cells arranged over a semiconductor substrate between an upper metal interconnect layer and a lower metal interconnect layer. A memory cell includes a bottom electrode disposed over the lower metal interconnect layer, a data storage or dielectric layer disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the data storage or dielectric layer. An upper surface of the top electrode is in direct contact with the upper metal interconnect layer without a via or contact coupling the upper surface of the top electrode to the upper metal interconnect layer. Sidewall spacers are arranged along sidewalls of the top electrode, and have bottom surfaces that rest on an upper surface of the data storage or dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12250891
    Abstract: Resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells, for example conductive bridging random access memory (CBRAM) cells and oxygen vacancy-based RRAM (OxRRAM) cells are provided. An RRAM cell may include a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure formed between adjacent metal interconnect layers or between a silicided active layer (e.g., including MOSFET devices) and a first metal interconnect layer. The MIM structure of the RRAM cell may be formed by a damascene process including forming a tub opening in a dielectric region, forming a cup-shaped bottom electrode in the tub opening, forming a cup-shaped insulator in an interior opening defined by the cup-shaped bottom electrode, and forming a top electrode in an interior opening defined by the cup-shaped insulator. The cup-shaped bottom electrode, or a component thereof (in the case of a multi-layer bottom electrode) may be formed concurrently with interconnect vias, e.g., by deposition of tungsten or other conformal metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Yaojian Leng
  • Patent number: 12250827
    Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction pillar is positioned above a bottom electrode composed of a metal-oxide region in contact with a first portion of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar and a metal region surrounding the metal-oxide region. A sidewall spacer is positioned along sidewalls of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar, and the metal region is in contact with a bottom surface of the sidewall spacer and a second portion of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Lisamarie White, Willie Lester Muchrison, Jr., Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 12239034
    Abstract: A RRAM device is provided. The RRAM device includes: a bottom electrode in a first dielectric layer; a switching layer in a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, wherein a conductive path is formed in the switching layer when a forming voltage is applied; and a needle-like-shaped top electrode region in a third dielectric layer over the second dielectric layer. The needle-like-shaped top electrode region includes: an oxygen-rich dielectric layer, wherein a lower end of the oxygen-rich dielectric layer is a tip; and a top electrode over the oxygen-rich dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jheng-Hong Jiang, Shing-Huang Wu, Chia-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 12232434
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A data storage structure is formed on the bottom electrode. The data storage structure comprises a first dopant with a first atomic percent and a second dopant with a second atomic percent. The first atomic percent is different from the second atomic percent. A top electrode is formed on the data storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bi-Shen Lee, Hai-Dang Trinh, Fa-Shen Jiang, Hsun-Chung Kuang
  • Patent number: 12232431
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first interconnect layer, a second interconnect layer, a phase-change layer, and an adjacent layer. The phase-change layer is disposed between the first interconnect layer and the second interconnect layer and configured to reversibly transition between a crystalline state and an amorphous state. The adjacent layer contacts the phase-change layer and comprises tellurium and at least one of titanium, zirconium, or hafnium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Kunifumi Suzuki, Yuuichi Kamimuta
  • Patent number: 12231107
    Abstract: Circuits and methods that provide wider bandwidth and smaller IM inductances for phase change material (PCM) based RF switch networks. The present invention recognizes that it is beneficial to consider the total high parasitic capacitance to ground of the various PCM switches in an RF switch network as constituting two or more separate capacitive contributions. This leads to several “split capacitance” concepts, including signal-path splitting, switch-block splitting, stacked-switch splitting, and splitting parasitic capacitances due to layout discontinuities, in which compensating impedance matching inductances are inserted between additive capacitances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Erb
  • Patent number: 12223989
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a first memory cell and a second memory cell over a substrate, wherein each of the first and second memory cells comprises a bottom electrode, a resistance switching element over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode over the resistance switching element; depositing a first dielectric layer over the first and second memory cells, such that the first dielectric layer has a void between the first and second memory cells; depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; and forming a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature in the first and second dielectric layers and respectively connected with the top electrode of the first memory cell and the top electrode of the second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Sheng-Huang Huang, Hung-Cho Wang, Sheng-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 12219781
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate, a gate structure over the substrate, a source/drain (S/D) contact structure adjacent to the gate structure, a layer of dielectric material over the S/D contact structure, a conductor layer over and in contact with the layer of dielectric material and above the S/D contact structure, and an interconnect structure over and in contact with the conductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Kui Chen, Guan-Jie Shen
  • Patent number: 12213391
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory includes a first dielectric layer, a bottom electrode on the first dielectric layer, a variable-resistance layer on the bottom electrode and having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, a top electrode on the variable-resistance layer and filling a recess in the variable-resistance layer, a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and around the variable-resistance layer and the bottom electrode, and a spacer on the bottom electrode and inserting between the variable-resistance layer and the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: United Semiconductor (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dejin Kong, Jinjian Ouyang, Xiang Bo Kong, Wen Yi Tan
  • Patent number: 12213392
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods of manufacturing such devices are provided herein. In at least one embodiment, a memory device includes a plurality of phase-change memory cells. An electrically-insulating layer covers lateral walls of each of the phase-change memory cells, and a thermally-insulating material is disposed on the electrically-insulating layer and covers the lateral walls of the phase-change memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Boivin
  • Patent number: 12205630
    Abstract: Provided are a symmetric memory cell and a BNN circuit. The symmetric memory cell includes a first complementary structure and a second complementary structure, the second complementary structure being symmetrically connected to the first complementary structure in a first direction, wherein the first complementary structure includes a first control transistor configured to be connected to the second complementary structure, the second complementary structure includes a second control transistor, a drain electrode of the second control transistor and a drain electrode of the first control transistor being symmetrically arranged in the first direction and connected to a bit line, and the symmetric memory cell is configured to store a weight value 1 or 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Qing Luo, Bing Chen, Hangbing Lv, Ming Liu, Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 12201039
    Abstract: A memory device and method of making the same is provided. The memory device includes a first electrode, an oxygen scavenging layer on the first electrode, a hard mask on the oxygen scavenging layer, and a second electrode on the hard mask. A switching layer is arranged on a portion of the oxygen scavenging layer, and the switching layer is conformal to a side surface of the hard mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Desmond Jia Jun Loy, Eng Huat Toh, Shyue Seng Tan
  • Patent number: 12193337
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes the following steps. A plurality of doped regions are formed in a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. A plurality of first contacts and second contacts are formed in the first dielectric layer to be connected to the plurality of doped regions. A memory element is formed on the first dielectric layer. The memory element is electrically connected to the second contact. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer surrounds the memory element. A conductive line is formed in the second dielectric layer. A top surface of the conductive line is at a same level as a top surface of the memory element, and the conductive line is electrically connected to the plurality of first contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Chia Ou, Chih-Chao Huang, Min-Chih Wei, Yu-Ting Chen, Chi-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 12183379
    Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element, and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Lin, Hung-Chang Yu
  • Patent number: 12178146
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor structures for neuromorphic applications may include a first layer overlying a substrate material. The first layer may be or include a first oxide material. The structures may include a second layer disposed adjacent the first layer. The second layer may be or include a second oxide material. The structures may also include an electrode material deposited overlying the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Kamalanathan, Archana Kumar, Siddarth Krishnan
  • Patent number: 12167704
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A memory device includes a substrate, a first conductive layer, a phase change layer, a selector layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed over the substrate. The phase change layer is disposed over the first conductive layer. The selector layer is disposed between the phase change layer and the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is disposed over the phase change layer. In some embodiments, at least one of the phase change layer and the selector layer has a narrow-middle profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-I Wu
  • Patent number: 12161057
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor memory structure include forming a pillar structure. The pillar structure includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a data storage material layer between the first and second conducive layers. A sidewall of the first conductive layer, a sidewall of the data storage layer and a sidewall of the second conductive layer are exposed. An oxygen-containing plasma treatment is performed on the pillar structure to form hydrophilic surfaces of the sidewall of the first conductive layer, the sidewall of the data storage layer and the sidewall of the second conductive layer. An encapsulation layer is formed over the pillar structure and the dielectric layer. The encapsulation layer is in contact with the hydrophilic surfaces of the sidewall of the first conductive layer, the sidewall of the data storage layer and the sidewall of the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Fu-Ting Sung, Ching Ju Yang, Chii-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 12156409
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed a memory layout for reduced line loading. In some embodiments, a memory device comprises an array of bit cells, a first conductive line, a second conductive line, and a plurality of conductive bridges. The first and second conductive lines may, for example, be source lines or some other conductive lines. The array of bit cells comprises a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and the plurality of columns comprise a first column and a second column. The first conductive line extends along the first column and is electrically coupled to bit cells in the first column. The second conductive line extends along the second column and is electrically coupled to bit cells in the second column. The conductive bridges extend from the first conductive line to the second conductive line and electrically couple the first and second conductive lines together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12156485
    Abstract: Provided are a memory cell and a method of forming the same. The memory cell includes a bottom electrode, an etching stop layer, a variable resistance layer, and a top electrode. The etching stop layer is disposed on the bottom electrode. The variable resistance layer is embedded in the etching stop layer and in contact with the bottom electrode. The top electrode is disposed on the variable resistance layer. A semiconductor device having the memory cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chao Lin, Carlos H. Diaz, Shao-Ming Yu, Tung-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 12144188
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an arrangement having a memory tier with memory cells on opposing sides of a coupling region. First sense/access lines are under the memory cells, and are electrically connected with the memory cells. A conductive interconnect is within the coupling region. A second sense/access line extends across the memory cells, and across the conductive interconnect. The second sense/access line has a first region having a second conductive material over a first conductive material, and has a second region having only the second conductive material. The first region is over the memory cells, and is electrically connected with the memory cells. The second region is over the conductive interconnect and is electrically coupled with the conductive interconnect. An additional tier is under the memory tier, and includes CMOS circuitry coupled with the conductive interconnect. Some embodiments include methods of forming multitier arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Wei, Hongqi Li
  • Patent number: 12133390
    Abstract: Provided are a memory device and a method of forming the same. The memory device includes a substrate, a layer stack, and a plurality of composite pillar structures. The layer stack is disposed on the substrate. The layer stack includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers stacked alternately. The composite pillar structures respectively penetrate through the layer stack. Each composite pillar structure includes a dielectric pillar; a pair of conductive pillars penetrating through the dielectric pillar and electrically isolated from each other through a portion of the dielectric pillar; a channel layer covering both sides of the dielectric pillar and the pair of conductive pillars; a ferroelectric layer disposed between the channel layer and the layer stack; and a buffer layer disposed between the channel layer and the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-I Wu, Yu-Ming Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Patent number: 12127485
    Abstract: A switching element that has reduced switching voltage and leakage current and that demonstrates high reliability and low power consumption is achieved as a result of comprising: a first insulation layer in which first wiring mainly consisting of copper is embedded in a first wiring groove that opens upward; a second insulation layer which is formed on an upper surface of the first insulation layer and the first wiring and has an opening that reaches the first insulation layer and the first wiring; a first electrode which is the portion of the first wiring that is exposed from the opening; an oxygen supply layer which is formed on an upper surface of the second insulation layer, generates oxygen plasma during etching to form the opening in the second insulation layer, and remains at least in the vicinity of the opening of the upper surface of the second insulation layer; an ion conducting layer which is formed on the upper surface of the first insulation layer and the first electrode that are exposed from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: NANOBRIDGE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Naoki Banno, Munehiro Tada, Hideaki Numata, Koichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 12120887
    Abstract: The present application provides an apparatus, including: a substrate; a first line electrode formed on the substrate; an interlayer formed on the first line electrode, a selector stack formed on the interlayer and the first line electrode; an RRAM stack formed on the selector stack; and a second line electrode formed on the RRAM stack. The interlayer comprises an upper surface and a sidewall. In some embodiments, a shape of the interlayer comprises a cylinder, a pyramid, a prism, a cone, a pillar, or a protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: TetraMem Inc.
    Inventors: Minxian Zhang, Ning Ge
  • Patent number: 12114513
    Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes word lines, channel layer, gate dielectric layers, a conductive pillar and a storage pillar. The word lines extend along a first direction over a substrate, and are vertically spaced apart from one another. The channel layers respectively line along a sidewall of one of the word lines. The gate dielectric layers respectively line between one of the word lines and one of the channel layers. The conductive pillar and the storage pillar penetrate through the channel layers. The storage pillar includes an inner electrode, a switching layer and an outer electrode. The switching layer wraps around the inner electrode. The outer electrode laterally surrounds the switching layer, and includes annulus portions vertically spaced apart from one another and each in lateral contact with a corresponding one of the channel layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-I Wu, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 12114512
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnection structure. The interconnection structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnection structure includes first conductive lines, second conductive lines, and ovonic threshold switches. The first conductive lines extend parallel to each other in a first direction. The second conductive lines are stacked over the first conductive lines and extend parallel to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The ovonic threshold switches are disposed between the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines. The ovonic threshold switches include a ternary GeCTe material. The ternary GeCTe material consists substantially of carbon, germanium, and tellurium. In the ternary GeCTe material, a content of carbon is in a range from 10 to 30 atomic percent and a content of germanium is in a range from 10 to 65 atomic percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Min Lee, Tung-Ying Lee, Cheng-Hsien Wu, Xinyu Bao, Hengyuan Lee, Ying-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 12114579
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a resistive random access memory cell includes the following steps. A second sacrificial layer is formed around a patterned stacked layer. An opening passing through first conductive layers and first sacrificial layers of the patterned stacked layer is formed. A second conductive layer is formed in the opening, and the second conductive layer and the first conductive layers form a first electrode layer. The first sacrificial layers and the second sacrificial layer are removed. A variable resistance layer and an oxygen reservoir layer are formed. The oxygen reservoir layer is patterned to form a patterned oxygen reservoir layer and expose the variable resistance layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the variable resistance layer and the patterned oxygen reservoir layer. A second electrode is formed in the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Yen Hsu, Bo-Lun Wu, Tse-Mian Kuo
  • Patent number: 12100447
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-selecting memory with horizontal access lines are described. A memory array may include first and second access lines extending in different directions. For example, a first access line may extend in a first direction, and a second access line may extend in a second direction. At each intersection, a plurality of memory cells may exist, and each plurality of memory cells may be in contact with a self-selecting material. Further, a dielectric material may be positioned between a first plurality of memory cells and a second plurality of memory cells in at least one direction. each cell group (e.g., a first and second plurality of memory cells) may be in contact with one of the first access lines and second access lines, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Fratin, Fabio Pellizzer, Agostino Pirovano, Russell L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 12068014
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a nonvolatile memory cell array including a plurality of first memory cells and a plurality of second memory cells including a first memory element 11 and a second memory element 12 including a resistance-variable nonvolatile memory element and a first selection transistor electrically connected to the first memory element 11 and the second memory element 12, in which a plurality of first memory elements 11 and a plurality of second memory elements 12 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction and on the same interlayer insulating layer, the first memory element 11 is larger than the second memory element 12, and the first memory element 11 and the second memory element 12 are disposed adjacent to each other along the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uchida, Yasuo Kanda
  • Patent number: 12069959
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a first magnetoresistance effect element provided above a substrate, a first switching element member, and a first conductor. Each of the first switching element member and the first conductor is provided above the first magnetoresistance effect element. The first switching element member includes a first portion in contact with a lower surface of the first conductor directly above the first magnetoresistance effect element. An area of a lower surface of the first switching element member is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first switching element member along the lower surface of the first conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Kuniaki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 12058859
    Abstract: A vertical memory device includes a gate electrode structure formed on a substrate including a cell array region and a pad region, a channel, contact plugs, and support structures. The gate electrode structure includes gate electrodes extending in a second direction and stacked in a staircase shape in a first direction on the pad region. The channel extends through the gate electrode structure on the cell array region. The contact plugs contact corresponding ones of steps, respectively, of the gate electrode structure. The support structures extend through the corresponding ones of the steps, respectively, and extend in the first direction on the pad region. The support structure includes a filling pattern and an etch stop pattern covering a sidewall and a bottom surface thereof. An upper surface of each of the support structures is higher than that of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kangmin Kim, Joongshik Shin, Hongik Son, Hyeonjoo Song
  • Patent number: 12057399
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor substrate and a conductive layer separated from the semiconductor substrate in a first direction. The conductive layer extends in a second direction parallel to the semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor layer extends in the first direction through the conductive layer. A first contact extends in the first direction and is connected to a surface of the conductive layer facing away from the semiconductor substrate. A first insulating layer extends in the first direction, and a second insulating layer extends along the first insulating layer in the first direction. Each of the first and second insulating layers entirely overlaps with the first contact when viewed in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhito Yoshimizu
  • Patent number: 12041861
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has an RRAM cell that includes a top electrode, an RRAM dielectric layer, and a bottom electrode having a surface that interfaces with the RRAM dielectric layer. Oxides of the bottom electrode are substantially absent from the bottom electrode surface. The bottom electrode has a higher density in a zone adjacent the surface as compared to a bulk region of the bottom electrode. The surface has a roughness Ra of 2 nm or less. A process for forming the surface includes chemical mechanical polishing followed by hydrofluoric acid etching followed by argon ion bombardment. An array of RRAM cells formed by this process is superior in terms of narrow distribution and high separation between low and high resistance states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12033967
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a first semiconductor structure, a second semiconductor structure, and a bonding interface between the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes a peripheral circuit. The second semiconductor structure includes an array of memory cells, a plurality of bit lines coupled to the memory cells and each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a plurality of word lines coupled to the memory cells and each extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. Each of the memory cells includes a vertical transistor extending in a first direction, and a storage unit coupled to the vertical transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongbin Zhu, Wei Liu, Yanhong Wang
  • Patent number: 12029145
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a resistive layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, containing at least one of antimony (Sb) and bismuth (Bi) as a first element, and tellurium (Te) as a second element, and having a variable resistance value. The resistive layer includes a first layer having a hexagonal crystal structure containing the first element and the second element. The first layer contains a group 14 element as a third element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Bairu Yan, Yoshiki Kamata, Kazuhiko Yamamoto