Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell, having an antifuse for storing data, is disclosed for use in a non-volatile data storage device. The non-volatile memory cell includes multiple redundant signal pathways to provide redundant access to the antifuse. During operation, the non-volatile memory cell can access the antifuse using a first signal pathway from among the multiple redundant signal pathways. However, when the first signal pathway is inoperable, the non-volatile memory cell is able to access the antifuse using a second signal pathway from among the multiple redundant signal pathways. The non-volatile memory cell is fabricated using a continuous region of one or more diffusion layers to allow efficient connection to other non-volatile memory cells to form an array of memory cells for the non-volatile data storage device.

Abstract: Non-crystalline silicon non-volatile resistive switching devices include a metal electrode, a non-crystalline silicon layer and a planar doped silicon electrode. An electrical signal applied to the metal electrode drives metal ions from the metal electrode into the non-crystalline silicon layer to form a conducting filament from the metal electrode to the planar doped silicon electrode to alter a resistance of the non-crystalline silicon layer. Another electrical signal applied to the metal electrode removes at least some of the metal ions forming the conducting filament from the non-crystalline silicon layer to further alter the resistance of the non-crystalline silicon layer.

Abstract: A Zener diode used as an ESD protection element is connected in parallel to a circuit to be protected, for example an LED chip. The Zener diode is connected in parallel to an antifuse element. For example, an LED package (P1-Pn) includes the LED chip and a composite protection element connected in parallel thereto. The composite protection element includes the Zener diode and antifuse element. The Zener diode is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and the antifuse element is formed in a wiring layer on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures containing FinFET anti-fuses with reduced breakdown voltage are provided which can be readily integrated with high performance FinFETs. The anti-fuse includes at least one metal structure having a faceted sidewall. The sharp corner of the faceted sidewall of the at least one metal structure causes an electric field concentration, thus reducing the breakdown voltage of the anti-fuse.

Abstract: Embodiments of a three-dimensional silicon structure for integrated circuits and cooling thereof are described. In one aspect, a device includes a silicon substrate having a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side. The first primary side includes a circuit structure disposed thereon. The second primary side includes a plurality of fins monolithically formed thereon.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an anti-fuse device with a transistor. The transistor may be a FinFET. The anti-fuse device includes a first electrode, an insulating layer, and a second electrode. The gate of the transistor may be formed in a same layer as the first electrode. The gate insulating layer on the gate of the transistor may be formed in a same layer as the insulating layer. The second electrode may be formed in a same layer as a local interconnect or a via and overlap the first electrode vertically over the insulating layer.

Abstract: A one-time programmable (OTP) latch includes a memory cell having a first non-volatile (NV) resistive element and a second NV resistive element, cross-coupled inverter circuitry, a first transistor having a first current electrode coupled to a first node of the cross-coupled inverter circuitry and a second current electrode coupled to a first terminal of the first NV resistive element, and a second transistor having a first current electrode coupled to a second node of the cross-coupled inverter circuitry, different from the first node, and a second current electrode coupled to a first terminal of the second NV resistive element. The OTP latch also includes write circuitry coupled to the memory cell and configured to program only one of the first NV resistive element or the second NV resistive element to an OTP state while the cross-coupled inverter circuitry is isolated from the memory cell by the first and second transistors.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves hard-coding data into an integrated circuit device. An integrated circuit device provided. Data for hard-wiring information into a portion of the integrated circuit device is received. A stress voltage signal is provided to a portion of a transistor of the integrated circuit device for causing a dielectric breakdown of the portion of the transistor for hard-wiring the data.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a main surface; a first insulating film formed in a convex shape and provided on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a first diffusion layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and provided to surround the first insulating film formed in a convex shape, the first diffusion layer being different in conductivity type from the semiconductor substrate; a first conductive layer formed so as to extend across the first insulating film formed in a convex shape, the first conductive layer forming a fuse element; and a second insulating film provided on the first conductive layer.

Abstract: An array substrate having a data line self-repairing function and a liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The array substrate comprises a plurality of pixel units, the pixel unit at least comprise a gate layer, a gate insulating layer, a data layer and a pixel electrode layer laminated therein. Every of the pixel unit have a translucent area and opening areas. The gate layer relative to the opening area is retained, and the gate insulating layer does not cover the gate layer, and the data layer relative to the opening area contacts with the gate layer so that a broken data line in the data layer has conductive connection through the gate layer. Through the above solution, the data line has automatic repair function for disconnection and the unqualified rate of the data line during the manufacture processes is reduced.

Abstract: Programmable devices and fabrication methods thereof are presented. The programmable devices include, for instance, a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected by a link portion. The link portion includes one material of a metal material or a semiconductor material and the first and second electrodes includes the other material of the metal material or the semiconductor material. For example, the link portion facilitates programming the programmable device by applying a programming current between the first electrode and the second electrode to facilitate migration of the one material of the link portion towards at least one of the first or second electrodes. In one embodiment, the programming current is configured to heat the link portion to facilitate the migration of the one material of the link portion towards the at least one of the first or second electrodes.

Abstract: A fully depleted field effect transistor (FET) and an anti-fuse structure are provided on a same chip. The fully depleted FET and the anti-fuse structure share a same high dielectric (k) constant dielectric material. The anti-fuse structure contains a faceted epitaxial doped semiconductor material as a bottom electrode, a high k dielectric material portion, and a gate electrode material portion as a top electrode. The sharp corners of the faceted epitaxial doped semiconductor material cause electric field concentration, which aid in the reduction of the breakdown voltage of the anti-fuse structure.

Abstract: An antifuse apparatus can include a cantilever extending from a first electrode portion to terminate in a distal end. A second electrode portion can be spaced apart from the cantilever by an air gap. In response to a program voltage across the first and second electrode portions, the cantilever can be adapted to move from an unprogrammed condition, corresponding to an open circuit condition where the cantilever is spaced apart from the second electrode portion, to at least one permanent programmed condition, corresponding to a short circuit condition between the first and second electrode portions where the cantilever engages the second electrode portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having improved heat-dissipation characteristics is capable effectively discharging heat that is generated inside the semiconductor device of a three-dimensional laminated structure, to the outside of the semiconductor device by utilizing an internal connector used during bonding.

Abstract: A multi-stacked structure of semiconductor packages includes a plurality of substrates stacked in a vertical direction, semiconductor packages mounted on each substrate of the plurality of the substrates, a heat release column extending commonly through the plurality of the substrates and overlapping at least one semiconductor package serving as a heat generation source among the semiconductor packages in the vertical direction, and a heat dissipation part thermally connected to one end of the heat release column.

Abstract: There is provided a monolithic three dimensional array of charge storage devices which includes a plurality of device levels, wherein at least one surface between two successive levels is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: An array structure of a single-poly nonvolatile memory includes a first and a second MTP sections, a first and a second OTP sections. The first MTP is connected to a first word line, a first source line, a first erase line and a plurality of bit lines. The second MTP section is connected to a second word line, a second source line and shares the first erase line and the plurality of bit lines with the first MTP section. The first OTP section is connected to a third word line and shares the first source line and the plurality of bit lines with the first MTP section. The second OTP section is connected to a fourth word line, a third source line, and shares the plurality of bit lines with the first MTP section, the second MTP section and the third OTP section.

Abstract: An anti-fuse, an anti-fuse array and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The anti-fuse array includes: an active region formed in a semiconductor substrate; a slit region formed at both edge portions of the active region in a first direction; a plurality of select gates extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the active region, and coupled to a select word line; a plurality of first program gates spaced apart from the select gates, formed over the active region isolated by the slit region, and coupled to a first program word line; a plurality of second program gates spaced apart from the select gates, formed over the active region isolated by the slit region, and coupled to a second program word line; and a bit line perpendicular to the select word line.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a method for forming the non-volatile memory device are disclosed. During fabrication of the memory device, a tungsten salicide is utilized as an etch-stop layer in place of a conventionally used aluminum oxide to form channel pillars having a high aspect ratio. Use of the tungsten salicide is useful for eliminating an undesired etch-stop recess and an undesired floating gate that is formed when an Al oxide etch-stop layer is conventionally used.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and methods of manufacturing capacitors are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a capacitor includes: etching a trench in a workpiece. The trench may extend into the workpiece from a major surface of the workpiece. The method further includes lining the trench with a bottom electrode material and lining the bottom electrode material in the trench with a dielectric material. The dielectric material may have edges proximate the major surface of the workpiece. The method further includes forming a top electrode material over the dielectric material in the trench, and etching away a portion of the bottom electrode material and a portion of the top electrode material proximate the edges of the dielectric material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to an integrated circuit comprising a reduced height M1 metal line formed of an exemplary material with lower mean free path than Copper, for local routing of on-chip circuit elements of the integrated circuit, wherein the height of the reduced height M1 metal line is lower than a minimum allowed or allowable height of a conventional M1 metal line formed of Copper. The exemplary materials for forming the reduced height M1 metal line include Tungsten (W), Molybdenum (Mo), and Ruthenium (Ru), wherein these exemplary materials also exhibit lower capacitance and lower RC delays than Copper, while providing high electromigration reliability.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a first impurity diffusion layer is provided in a region lower than a drain region and the first impurity diffusion layer diffuses impurities of a second conductivity type. A second impurity diffusion layer is provided between the drain region and the first impurity diffusion layer, and the second impurity diffusion layer diffuses impurities of a first conductivity type or the second conductivity type, and a concentration of the second impurity diffusion layer is lower than that of the first conductivity type of the drain region and that of the second conductivity type of the first impurity diffusion layer.

Abstract: The width of a heavily-doped sinker is substantially reduced by forming the heavily-doped sinker to lie in between a number of closely-spaced trench isolation structures, which have been formed in a semiconductor material. During drive-in, the closely-spaced trench isolation structures significantly limit the lateral diffusion.

Abstract: A capacitor structure includes a substrate with a plurality of dielectric layers sequentially formed thereon, a trench formed in the dielectric layers, wherein the trench is composed of at least two interconnected dual damascene recesses, each dual damascene recess formed in one dielectric layer; and a capacitor multilayer disposed on the sidewall of the trench.

Abstract: An anti-fuse array includes: a plurality of first transistors having a matrix structure over a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of second transistors respectively disposed adjacent to first ends of the plurality of first transistors along a first direction of the matrix structure; and a plurality of third transistors respectively disposed at second ends of the plurality of first transistors along a second direction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate and at least one NMOS transistor having, in the substrate, an active region surrounded by an insulating region. The insulating region is formed to includes at least one area in which the insulating region has two insulating extents that are mutually separated from each other by a separation region formed by a part of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming an interlayer conductor structure. The method includes forming a stack of semiconductor pads coupled to respective active layers for a circuit. The semiconductor pads include outside perimeters each having one side coupled to a respective active layer. Impurities are implanted along the outside perimeters to form outside lower resistance regions on the pads. Openings are then formed in the stack of the semiconductor pads to expose a landing area for interlayer conductors on a corresponding semiconductor pad and to define an inside perimeter on at least one of the semiconductor pads. Inside lower resistance regions are formed along the inside perimeters by implanting impurities for interlayer conductor contacts and configured to overlap and be continuous with the corresponding outside lower resistance region.

Abstract: There is provided a non-volatile memory including: plural zener zap devices, each including a cathode region and an anode region formed in a well; and a metal wiring line that is formed above the plural zener zap devices, that is commonly connected to each of the cathode regions, and that supplies a write voltage to each of the zener zap devices.

Abstract: A method for measuring data retention characteristic of an RRAM device includes: a) controlling a temperature of a sample stage to maintain the RRAM device at a predetermined temperature; b) setting the RRAM device to a high-resistance state or a low-resistance state; c) measuring data retention time by applying a predetermined voltage to the RRAM device so that a resistive state failure of the RRAM device occurs; d) repeating the steps a)-c) to perform a plurality of measurements; e) calculating a resistive state failure probability F(t) of the RRAM device from the data retention time in the plurality of measurements; and f) fitting the resistive state failure probability F(t), and calculating predicted data retention time tE by using parameters obtained from the fitting. The data retention time of the RRAM device may be predicted by combining voltage acceleration and temperature acceleration.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, an anorganic isolation layer on the semiconductor substrate and a metallization layer on the anorganic isolation layer. The metallization layer comprises a fuse structure. At least in an area of the fuse structure the metallization layer and the anorganic isolation layer have a common interface.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a vertical electrode provided over a substrate; a variable resistance layer provided at least a sidewall of the vertical electrode; a plurality of horizontal electrodes extending from the sidewall of the vertical electrode and having the variable resistance layer interposed; a transition metal oxide layer provided (i) between the vertical electrode and the variable resistance layer or (ii) between the plurality of horizontal electrodes and the variable resistance layer; and a threshold voltage switching layer provided in the transition metal oxide layer and selectively between the vertical electrode and the any of the plurality of horizontal electrodes.

Abstract: A contact fuse is provided. The contact fuse includes a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor and a control circuit having outputs coupled to a plurality of terminals of the MOS transistor. The control circuit is operable to forward bias a body-source junction during a programming operation and operable to short the body-source junction during a sensing operation. A method of operating a contact fuse is also provided.

Abstract: A one time programmable memory cell having twin wells to improve dielectric breakdown while minimizing current leakage. The memory cell is manufactured using a standard CMOS process used for core and I/O (input/output) circuitry. A two transistor memory cell having an access transistor and an anti-fuse device, or a single transistor memory cell 100 having a dual thickness gate oxide 114 & 116, are formed in twin wells 102 & 104. The twin wells are opposite in type to each other, where one can be an N-type well 102 while the other can be a P-type well 104. The anti-fuse device is formed with a thin gate oxide and in a well similar to that used for the core circuitry. The access transistor is formed with a thick gate oxide and in a well similar to that used for I/O circuitry.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device comprises a non-fuse area that has a non-fuse via, a non-fuse line, and a non-fuse dielectric stack. The semiconductor device further comprises a fuse area that has a fuse via, a fuse line, and a fuse dielectric stack. The fuse dielectric stack comprises at least a first dielectric and a second dielectric material. The fuse via is at least partially embedded in the first dielectric material and the fuse line is embedded in the second dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of making a photovoltaic device is presented. The method includes disposing an absorber layer on a window layer. The method further includes treating at least a portion of the absorber layer with a first solution including a first metal salt to form a first component, wherein the first metal salt comprises a first metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, cobalt, chromium, zinc, indium, tungsten, molybdenum, and combinations thereof. The method further includes treating at least a portion of the first component with cadmium chloride to form a second component. The method further includes treating at least a portion of the second component with a second solution including a second metal salt to form an interfacial layer on the second component, wherein the second metal salt comprises a second metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, cobalt, nickel, zinc, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: There are provided a substrate for an inkjet head, an inkjet head, and an inkjet printing apparatus wherein in a case where current is carried through a protection layer for heating resistors, electrical connection to its periphery is prevented without fail. The substrate for the inkjet head includes a first protection layer disposed to cover a heating resistor layer and having an insulation property and a second protection layer disposed to contact the first protection layer and having conductivity. The second protection layer includes a plurality of individual sections provided to correspond to the plurality of heating resistors, a common section connecting the plurality of individual sections, and fuse sections connecting the individual sections and the common section, the fuse sections being formed to be thinner than the individual sections.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes: a first interconnection extending in a first direction; a second interconnection extending in a second direction, and a lower end of the second interconnection being located above the first interconnection; a plurality of third interconnections extending in a third direction, and the third interconnections being arranged in the second direction; a current limitation layer provided between the second interconnection and the third interconnections; a metal ion source layer provided between the current limitation layer and the third interconnections; a resistance change layer provided between the current limitation layer and the third interconnections; and a selector provided between the first interconnection and the lower end of the second interconnection.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, isolation regions at a surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor region over a top surface of the isolation regions. A conductive feature is disposed over the top surface of the isolation regions, wherein the conductive feature is adjacent to the semiconductor region. A dielectric material is disposed between the conductive feature and the semiconductor region. The dielectric material, the conductive feature, and the semiconductor region form an anti-fuse.

Abstract: An antifuse apparatus can include a cantilever extending from a first electrode portion to terminate in a distal end. A second electrode portion can be spaced apart from the cantilever by an air gap. In response to a program voltage across the first and second electrode portions, the cantilever can be adapted to move from an unprogrammed condition, corresponding to an open circuit condition where the cantilever is spaced apart from the second electrode portion, to at least one permanent programmed condition, corresponding to a short circuit condition between the first and second electrode portions where the cantilever engages the second electrode portion.

Abstract: A sequence of semiconductor processing steps permits formation of both vertical and horizontal nanometer-scale serpentine resistors and parallel plate capacitors within a common structure. The method of fabricating such a structure cleverly takes advantage of a CMP process non-uniformity in which the CMP polish rate of an insulating material varies according to a certain underlying topography. By establishing such topography underneath a layer of the insulating material, different film thicknesses of the insulator can be created in different areas by leveraging differential polish rates, thereby avoiding the use of a lithography mask. In one embodiment, a plurality of resistors and capacitors can be formed as a compact integrated structure within a common dielectric block, using a process that requires only two mask layers.

Abstract: A memory device includes an array of NAND strings of memory cells. The device includes a plurality of stacks of conductive strips separated by insulating material, including at least a bottom plane of conductive strips, a plurality of intermediate planes of conductive strips, and a top plane of conductive strips. The device includes charge storage structures in interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips in the plurality of intermediate planes in the stacks and inter-stack semiconductor body elements of a plurality of bit line structures. At least one reference line structure is arranged orthogonally over the stacks, including vertical conductive elements between the stacks in electrical communication with a reference conductor between the bottom plane of conductive strips and a substrate, and linking elements over the stacks connecting the vertical conductive elements. The vertical conductive elements have a higher conductivity than the semiconductor body elements.

Abstract: Collections of laterally crystallized semiconductor islands for use in thin film transistors and systems and methods for making same are described. A display device includes a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) on a substrate, such that the TFTs are spaced apart from each other and each include a channel region that has a crystalline microstructure and a direction along which a channel current flows. The channel region of each of the TFTs contains a crystallographic grain that spans the length of that channel region along its channel direction. Each crystallographic grain in the channel region of each of the TFTs is physically disconnected from and crystallographically uncorrelated with each crystallographic grain in the channel region of each adjacent TFT.

Abstract: Provided is an OTP memory cell including a first antifuse unit, a second antifuse unit, a select transistor, and a well region. The first and the second antifuse unit respectively include an antifuse layer and an antifuse gate disposed on a substrate in sequence. The select transistor includes a select gate, a gate dielectric layer, a first doped region, and a second doped region. The select gate is disposed on the substrate. The gate dielectric layer is disposed between the select gate and the substrate. The first and the second doped region are respectively disposed in the substrate at two sides of the select gate, wherein the second doped region is disposed in the substrate at the periphery of the first and the second antifuse unit. The well region is disposed in the substrate below the first and the second antifuse unit and is connected to the second doped region.

Abstract: A memory device is provided, which includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a memory layer interposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The memory layer includes a first portion and a second portion, each of which includes at least a nanoparticle. The nanoparticle includes a conductive material coated with an organic film. The first portion is in contact with the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and a side surface of the first portion is surrounded by the second portion.

Abstract: An anti-fuse array of a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The anti-fuse array for a semiconductor device includes a first-type semiconductor substrate formed to define an active region by a device isolation region, a second-type impurity implantation region formed in the active region, a first-type channel region isolated from the semiconductor substrate by the second-type impurity implantation region, a gate electrode formed over the channel region, and a first metal contact formed over the second-type impurity implantation region.

Abstract: An object is to provide an antifuse with little power consumption at the time of writing. The antifuse is used for a memory element in a read-only memory device. The antifuse includes a first conductive layer, a multilayer film of two or more layers in which an amorphous silicon film and an insulating film are alternately stacked over the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer over the multilayer film. Voltage is applied between the first and second conductive layers and resistance of the multilayer film is decreased, whereby data is written to the memory element. When an insulating film having higher resistance than amorphous silicon is formed between the first and second conductive layers, current flowing through the antifuse at the time of writing is reduced.

Abstract: A memory device 10 has an arrangement in which a memory thin film 4 is sandwiched between first and second electrodes 2 and 6, the memory thin film 6 contains at least rare earth elements, the memory thin film 4 or a layer 3 in contact with the memory thin film 4 contains any one of elements selected from Cu, Ag, Zn and the memory thin film 4 or the layer 3 in contact with the memory thin film 4 contains any one of elements selected from Te, S, Se. The memory device can record and read information with ease stably, and this memory device can be manufactured easily by a relatively simple manufacturing method.

Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell is provided. The method includes forming a steering element pillar having a first stiffness and a sidewall, forming a sidewall collar along at least a portion of the sidewall of the steering element pillar, the sidewall collar having a second stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness, and forming a memory element coupled to the steering element pillar. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An anti-fuse based on a Field Nitride Trap (FNT) is disclosed. The anti-fuse includes a first active pillar including a first junction, a second active pillar including a second junction, a selection line buried between the first active pillar and the second active pillar, and a trap layer for electrically coupling the first junction to the second junction by trapping minority carriers according to individual voltages applied to the first junction, the second junction and the selection line. As a result, the fuse can be highly integrated through the above-mentioned structure, and programming of the fuse can be easily achieved.

Abstract: An electrically programmable gate oxide anti-fuse device includes an anti-fuse aperture having anti-fuse links that include metallic and/or semiconductor electrodes with a dielectric layer in between. The dielectric layer may be an interlayer dielectric (ILD), an intermetal dielectric (IMD) or an etch stop layer. The anti-fuse device may includes a semiconductor substrate having a conductive gate (e.g., a high K metal gate) disposed on a surface of the substrate, and a dielectric layer disposed on the conductive gate. A stacked contact can be disposed on the dielectric layer and a gate contact is disposed on an exposed portion of the gate.