Abstract: An infrared photodiode structure is provided. The infrared photodiode structure includes a doped semiconductor layer having ions of certain conductivity. An active photodetecting region is positioned on the doped semiconductor layer for detecting an infrared light signal. The active photodetecting region includes one or more amorphous semiconductor materials so as to allow for high signal-to-noise ratio being achieved by invoking carrier hopping and band conduction, under dark and illuminated conditions.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device including a phase change memory element whose memory layer is formed of a phase change material of M (additive element)-Ge (germanium)-Sb (antimony)-Te (tellurium), both of high heat resistance and stable data retention property are achieved. The memory layer has a fine structure with a different composition ratio therein, and an average composition of M?GeXSbYTeZ forming the memory layer satisfies the relations of 0???0.4, 0.04?X?0.4, 0?Y?0.3, 0.3?Z?0.6, and 0.03?(?+Y).

Abstract: A chalcogenide-based programmable conductor memory device and method of forming the device, wherein a chalcogenide glass region is provided with a plurality of alternating tin chalcogenide and metal layers proximate thereto. The method of forming the device comprises sputtering the alternating tin chalcogenide and metal layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method that includes providing wafer including multiple cells, each cell including at least one emitter. The method further includes performing a lithographic operation in a word line direction of the wafer across the cells to form pre-heater element arrangements, performing a lithographic operation in a bit line direction of the wafer across the pre-heater element arrangements to form a pre-heater element adjacent each emitter, and performing a lithographic operation in the word line direction across a portion of the pre-heater elements to form a heater element adjacent each emitter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A conductive bridging random access memory (CBRAM) device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The CBRAM device includes a first electrode layer, a dielectric layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a second electrode layer and a metal layer. The solid electrolyte layer is located on the first electrode layer. The second electrode layer is located on the solid electrolyte layer. The metal layer is located near the solid electrolyte layer. The dielectric layer is located between the solid electrolyte layer and the metal layer. Since the metal layer is disposed near the solid electrolyte layer in the CBRAM device, it can generate a positive electric field during an erase operation, so as to accelerate a break of mutually connected metal filaments.

Abstract: A phase-change random access memory (PRAM) is presented which can ensure the integrity of the electrical characteristics of driving transistors even when the PRAM is with a high temperature SEG fabrication process because the fabrication time is minimized. A method of manufacturing the PRAM includes the following steps. After preparing a semiconductor substrate having a cell area and a peripheral area, a junction area is formed in the cell area. Then, a transistor having a gate electrode with a single conductive layer is formed in the peripheral area. Subsequently, a first interlayer dielectric layer is formed at an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate, and then a contact hole is formed by etching the first interlayer dielectric layer to expose a predetermined portion of the junction area. Next, an epitaxial layer is grown in the contact hole.

Abstract: One embodiment is a phase change memory that includes a heater element transversely contacting a storage element of phase change material. In particular, an end of the storage element contacts an end of the heater element. A first pair of dielectric spacers is positioned on opposite sides of the first heater element and a second pair of dielectric spacers is positioned on opposite sides of the first storage element. The storage element, heater element, and first and second pairs of dielectric spacers can be made by a spacer patterning technique.

Abstract: An antimony precursor including antimony, nitrogen and silicon, a phase-change memory device using the same, and a method of making the phase-change memory device. The phase-change memory device may have a phase-change film of a Ge2—Sb2—Te5 material including nitrogen and silicon.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method of fabricating the same are provided according to one or more embodiments. According to an embodiment, the solar cell includes a substrate, a back electrode layer formed on the substrate, a light absorbing layer formed on the back electrode layer, and a transparent electrode layer formed on the light absorbing layer, wherein the light absorbing layer is comprised of copper (Cu), gallium (Ga), indium (In), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se) and includes a first concentration region in which concentrations of sulfur (S) gradually decrease in the light absorbing layer going in a first direction from the back electrode layer to the transparent electrode layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of forming a stable phase change layer without generating seams, and a method of manufacturing phase change memory device using the same. In the method of forming a phase change layer, the phase change layer is formed by performing a first deposition process of a phase change material, performing an etching process so as to etch the phase change material, and performing a second deposition process of a phase change material on the etched phase change material. The etching process and the second deposition process are performed a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device including forming on a lower insulating layer a first sacrificial pattern having first openings extending in a first direction, forming a second sacrificial pattern having second openings extending in a second direction on the lower insulating layer and the first sacrificial pattern wherein the second openings intersect the first openings, etching the lower insulating layer using the first and second sacrificial patterns to form a lower insulating pattern having contact holes defined by a region where the first and second openings intersect each other, forming a bottom electrode in the contact holes, and forming a variable resistance pattern on the lower insulating pattern so that a portion of the variable resistance pattern connects to a top surface of the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A PCRAM cell has a high resistivity bottom electrode cap to provide partial heating near the interface between the cell and the bottom electrode, preventing separation of the amorphous GST region from the bottom electrode, and reducing the programming current requirements.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides for, in different embodiments, low-cost deposition techniques to form high-quality, dense, well-adhering Group IBIIIAVIA compound thin films with macro-scale as well as micro-scale compositional uniformities. It also provides methods to monolithically integrate solar cells made on such compound thin films to form modules. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of growing a Group IBIIIAVIA semiconductor layer on a base, and includes the steps of depositing on the base a nucleation and/or a seed layer and electroplating over the nucleation and/or the seed layer a precursor film comprising a Group IB material and at least one Group IIIA material, and reacting the electroplated precursor film with a Group VIA material. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Provided are quantum dots having a gradual composition gradient shell structure which have an improvedluminous efficiency and optical stability, and a method of manufacturing the quantum dots in a short amount of time at low cost. In the method, the quantum dots can be manufactured in a short amount of time at low cost using a reactivity difference between semiconductor precursors, unlike in uneconomical and inefficient conventional methods where shells areformed after forming cores and performing cleaning and redispersion processes. Also, formation of the cores is followed by formation of shells having a composition gradient. Thus, even if the shells are formed to a large thickness, the lattice mismatch between cores and shells is relieved. Furthermore, on the basis of the funneling concept, electrons and holes generated in the shells are transferred to the cores to emit light, thereby obtaining a high luminous efficiency of 80% or more.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for providing a resistance variable memory element with improved data retention and switching characteristics. According to an embodiment of the invention a resistance variable memory element is provided having at least one silver-selenide layer in between glass layers, wherein at least one of the glass layers is a chalcogenide glass, preferably having a GexSe100-x composition.

Abstract: A phase change memory includes a memory element and a selection element. The memory element is embedded in a dielectric and includes a resistive element having at least one sublithographic dimension and a storage region in contact with the resistive element. The selection element includes a chalcogenic material embedded in a dielectric. The chalcogenic material and the storage region are part of a stack having a common etched edge.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a variable resistance memory device includes a plasma etching process to remove contaminants from variable resistance material that forms variable resistance elements of the device. Bottom electrodes are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Next, an interlayer dielectric layer having trenches that expose the bottom electrodes is formed on the substrate. Then a layer of variable resistance material is formed. The variable resistance material covers the interlayer dielectric layer and fills the trenches. The variable resistance material is then planarized down to at least the top surface of the interlayer dielectric layer, thereby leaving elements of the variable resistance material in the trenches. The variable resistance material in the trenches is etched to remove contaminants, produced as a result of the planarizing process, from atop the variable resistance material in the trenches. A top electrode is then formed on the variable resistance material.

Abstract: A phase change memory cell is disclosed. The phase change memory cell includes a first thin film spacer and a second thin film spacer. The first thin film spacer defines a sub-lithographic dimension and is electrically coupled to a first electrode. The second thin film spacer defines a sub-lithographic dimension and is electrically coupled between a second electrode and the first thin film spacer. In this regard, the phase change memory cell is formed at a boundary where the first thin film spacer electrically contacts the second thin film spacer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and dielectric material including an opening. The opening is defined by etching the dielectric material based on an oxidized polysilicon mask formed using a keyhole process. The integrated circuit includes resistivity changing material deposited in the opening and coupled between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A phase change memory device is presented that has a lower electrode contact that has a gradient resistance profile ranging from a lower resistive lower end to a higher resistive upper end. The phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a lower electrode contact, and a phase change pattern. The semiconductor substrate has a switching device. The lower electrode contact is formed on the switching device and has a specific resistance which gradually increases from a lower part to an upper part of the lower electrode contact. The phase change pattern layer is formed on the lower electrode contact.

Abstract: A phase-change memory element with an electrically isolated conductor is provided. The phase-change memory element includes: a first electrode and a second electrode; a phase-change material layer electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; and at least two electrically isolated conductors, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, directly contacting the phase-change material layers.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a variable resistance structure and a phase-change memory device, after forming a first insulation layer on a substrate having a contact region, a contact hole exposing the contact region is formed through the first insulation layer. After forming a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer to fill up the contact hole, a first protection layer pattern is formed on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is partially etched to form a contact and to form a pad on the contact. A second protection layer is formed on the first protection layer pattern, and then an opening exposing the pad is formed through the second protection layer and the first protection layer pattern. After formation of a first electrode, a phase-change material layer pattern and a second electrode are formed on the first electrode and the second protection layer.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof that can reduce RC delay within the semiconductor device. Embodiments provide a semiconductor device including: a first interlayer dielectric layer formed over the a semiconductor substrate, a first metal wire and a second metal wire formed over the first interlayer dielectric layer, a second interlayer dielectric layer formed over the first and second metal wires, and a phase change material layer formed between the first and second metal wires.

Abstract: Phase-changeable memory devices and method of fabricating phase-changeable memory devices are provided that include a phase-changeable material pattern of a phase-changeable material that includes nitrogen atoms. First and second electrodes are electrically connected to the phase-changeable material pattern and provide an electrical signal thereto. The phase-changeable material pattern may have a polycrystalline structure.

Abstract: A phase change memory device having an inversely tapered bottom electrode and a method for forming the same is presented. The phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, an insulation layer, a bottom electrode contact and a phase change pattern. The insulation layer includes a bottom electrode contact hole having an insulation sidewall spacer such that the bottom electrode contact hole has an upper portion diameter that is smaller than a lower portion diameter. The bottom electrode contact is formed within the bottom electrode contact hole. The phase change pattern is formed on the bottom electrode contact.

Abstract: A memory cell includes a current-steering device, a phase-change material disposed thereover, and a heating element and/or a cooling element.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a semiconductor memory cell in which in order to store two bits or more data in a memory cell, three or more bottom electrode contacts (BECs) and phase-change materials (GST) have a parallel structure on a single contact plug (CP) and set resistances are changed depending on thicknesses (S), lengths (L) or resistivities (?) of the three or more bottom electrode contacts, so that a reset resistance and three different set resistances enable data other than in set and reset states to be stored. Also, a method of forming a memory cell in which three or more phase-change materials (GST) have a parallel structure on a single bottom electrode contact, and the phase-change materials have different set resistances depending on composition ratio or type, so that four or more different resistances can be implemented is provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device, and a resulting device, is described using silicon oxide doped chalcogenide material. A first electrode having a contact surface; a body of phase change memory material in a polycrystalline state including a portion in contact with the contact surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode in contact with the body of phase change material are formed. The process includes melting and cooling the phase change memory material one or more times within an active region in the body of phase change material without disturbing the polycrystalline state outside the active region. A mesh of silicon oxide in the active region with at least one domain of chalcogenide material results. Also, the grain size of the phase change material in the polycrystalline state outside the active region is small, resulting in a more uniform structure.

Abstract: A phase change memory device is manufactured by forming a sacrificial layer and a hard mask layer on a lower electrode; performing a first etching these layers and forming on the lower electrode a first stack pattern having a first width less than a width of the lower electrode; performing a second etching the first stack pattern and forming a second stack pattern having a second width less than the first width; forming an insulation to cover the second stack pattern; CMPing the insulation layer to expose the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer to define a contact hole; forming a lower electrode contact in the contact hole; and forming a phase change layer and an upper electrode on the insulation layer including the lower electrode contact. By manufacturing the phase change memory device in this manner, the size of the contact hole can be decreased and uniformly defined.

Abstract: A phase change memory device having a bottleneck constriction and method of making same are presented. The phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a lower electrode, an interlayer film, an insulator, a phase change layer and an upper electrode. The interlayer film is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the lower electrode. The interlayer film includes a laminate of a first insulating film, a silicon film and a second insulating film with a hole formed therethrough. The insulator is disposed along the exposed surface of the silicon film around the inner circumference of the hole. The phase change layer is embedded within the hole having the insulator which constricts the shape of the phase change layer to a bottleneck constriction. A method of manufacturing the phase change memory device is also provided.

Abstract: A phase change memory device and a corresponding method of manufacturing the same is presented. The phase change memory device includes a silicon substrate, a first insulation layer, cell switching elements, heaters, a gate, a second insulation layer, a barrier layer, a phase change layer and top electrodes. The first insulation layer is in the cell region of the substrate and has a first holes. The cell switching elements are formed in the first holes. The heaters are formed on the cell switching elements. The gate is in the peripheral region of the substrate and is higher than the cell switching elements. The second insulation layer having second holes which expose the heaters, and is defined to expose a hard mask layer of the gate. The barrier layer is on sidewalls of the second holes and on the second insulation layer. The phase change layer is formed in and over the second holes in which the barrier layer is formed. The top electrodes are formed on the phase change layer.

Abstract: A phase change memory device includes a silicon substrate having a cell region and a peripheral region. A first insulation layer is formed in the cell region and includes a plurality of holes. Cell switching elements are formed in the holes of the first insulation layer and heat sinks are formed on the cell switching elements. The heaters are formed on the center of the heat sinks and spacers are formed on the sidewalls. A gate is formed in the peripheral region of the silicon substrate formed of a gate insulation layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a hard mask layer. A second insulation layer covers the entire surface of the resultant silicon substrate and exposes the spacers and the heaters and the hard mask layer. Finally, a stack pattern of a phase change layer and a top electrode is formed on the heaters.

Abstract: Data storage device, comprising: a stack of layers comprising at least one memory layer able to effect a storage of data in a plurality of portions of the memory layer by a modification of at least one physico-chemical property of the material of said portions of the memory layer under the effect of an electric current passing through said portions of the memory layer; a plurality of photoconductive columns disposed in the stack of layers and passing through each layer in this stack; each of said portions of the memory layer surrounding one of the photoconductive columns.

Abstract: A phase changeable memory cell array region includes a lower interlayer insulating layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The region also includes a plurality of conductive plugs disposed through the lower interlayer insulating layer. The region also includes a phase changeable material pattern operably disposed on the lower interlayer insulating layer, the phase changeable pattern covering at least two of the plurality of conductive plugs, wherein the phase changeable material pattern includes a plurality of first regions in contact with one or more of the plurality of conductive plugs and at least one second region interposed between the plurality of the first regions, wherein the at least one second region has a lower thermal conductivity than the plurality of first regions. The phase changeable memory cell array region also includes an upper interlayer insulating layer covering at least one of the phase changeable material pattern and the lower interlayer insulating layer.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for forming phase change layers, and methods of manufacturing a phase change memory device. A source material is supplied to a reaction chamber, and purges from the chamber. A pressure of the chamber is varied according to the supply of the source material and the purge of the source material.

Abstract: A memory device includes two electrodes, vertically separated and having mutually opposed contact surfaces, between which lies a phase change cell. The phase change cell includes an upper phase change member, having a contact surface in electrical contact with the first electrode; a lower phase change member, having a contact surface in electrical contact with the second electrode; and a kernel member disposed between and in electrical contact with the upper and lower phase change members. The phase change cell is formed of material having at least two solid phases, and the lateral extent of the upper and lower phase change members is substantially greater than that of the kernel member. An intermediate insulating layer is disposed between the upper and lower phase change members adjacent to the kernel member.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor includes source, drain, and gate electrodes; a crystalline or polycrystalline layer of inorganic semiconductor; and a dielectric layer. The layer of inorganic semiconductor has an active channel portion physically extending from the source electrode to the drain electrode. The inorganic semiconductor has a stack of 2-dimensional layers in which intra-layer bonding forces are covalent and/or ionic. Adjacent ones of the layers are bonded together by forces substantially weaker than covalent and ionic bonding forces. The dielectric layer is interposed between the gate electrode and the layer of inorganic semiconductor material. The gate electrode is configured to control a conductivity of an active channel part of the layer of inorganic semiconductor.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including at least two processes. Under an atmosphere comprising hydrogen and oxygen, a sacrificial oxide film is formed on a silicon substrate that is provided with at least one nitride region. Then, the sacrificial oxide film and the nitride region are removed from the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A phase change memory includes a sidewall insulation film and a heater electrode which are formed in a contact hole formed in an interlayer insulation film on a lower electrode. The heater electrode has a recessed structure. In a recessed area surrounded by the sidewall insulation film, the heater electrode and a phase change film are contacted with each other. A phase change region is formed only in an area contacted with the sidewall insulation film. The sidewall insulation film is an anti-oxidizing insulation film. The phase change region and the heater electrode which are heated to a high temperature upon rewriting are not contacted with the interlayer insulation film as an oxidizing insulation film.

Abstract: A phase-change memory comprises a bottom electrode formed on a substrate. A first isolation layer is formed on the bottom electrode. A top electrode is formed on the isolation layer. A first phase-change material is formed in the first isolation layer, wherein the top electrode and the bottom electrode are electrically connected via the first phase-change material. Since the phase-change material can have a diameter less than the resolution limit of the photolithography process, an operating current for a state conversion of the phase-change material pattern may be reduced so as to decrease a power dissipation of the phase-change memory device.

Abstract: An electronic component (100) comprising a matrix (102) and a plurality of islands (103) embedded in the matrix (102) and comprising a material which is convertible between at least two states characterized by different electrical properties, wherein the plurality of islands (103) form a continuous path (104) in the matrix (102).

Abstract: A memory device described herein includes a bit line having a top surface and a plurality of vias. The device includes a plurality of first electrodes each having top surfaces coplanar with the top surface of the bit line, the first electrodes extending through corresponding vias in the bit line. An insulating member is within each via and has an annular shape with a thickness between the corresponding first electrode and a portion of the bit line acting as a second electrode. A layer of memory material extends across the insulating members to contact the top surfaces of the bit line and the first electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for forming thin-films from solid group IIIA-based particles. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is described comprising of providing a first material comprising an alloy of a) a group IIIA-based material and b) at least one other material. The material may be included in an amount sufficient so that no liquid phase of the alloy is present within the first material in a temperature range between room temperature and a deposition or pre-deposition temperature higher than room temperature, wherein the group IIIA-based material is otherwise liquid in that temperature range. The other material may be a group IA material. A precursor material may be formulated comprising a) particles of the first material and b) particles containing at least one element from the group consisting of: group IB, IIIA, VIA element, alloys containing any of the foregoing elements, or combinations thereof. The temperature range described above may be between about 20° C.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a bit line and a word line arranged on the semiconductor substrate to intersect each other, and a phase-change material strip interposed between the bit line and the word line and extending lengthwise in a direction that is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the word line.

Abstract: In a step of forming an InGeSbTe film which contains GeSbTe made of germanium (Ge), antimony (Sb) and tellurium (Te) as its base material and to which indium (In) is added, an InGeSbTe film is formed by sputtering on a semiconductor substrate while keeping a temperature of the semiconductor substrate between an in-situ crystallization temperature of GeSbTe serving as the base material and an in-situ crystallization temperature of InGeSbTe. As a result, it is possible to suppress the failure that the phase separation occurs in the InGeSbTe film during the following manufacturing process.

Abstract: A resistance random access memory in a bridge structure is disclosed that comprises a contact structure where first and second electrodes are located within the contact structure. The first electrode has a circumferential extending shape, such as an annular shape, surrounding an inner wall of the contact structure. The second electrode is located within an interior of the circumferential extending shape and separated from the first electrode by an insulating material. A resistance memory bridge is in contact with an edge surface of the first and second electrodes. The first electrode in the contact structure is connected to a transistor and the second electrode in the contact structure is connected to a bit line. A bit line is connected to the second electrode by a self-aligning process.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device in which a phase-change material layer has a multilayered structure with different compositions and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The phase-change memory device includes a first electrode layer formed on a substrate, a heater electrode layer formed on the first electrode layer, an insulating layer formed on the heater electrode layer and having a pore partially exposing the heater electrode layer, a phase-change material layer formed to fill the pore and partially contacting the heater electrode layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the phase-change material layer.

Abstract: Solar cell structures formed using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) that can achieve improved power efficiencies in relation to prior art thin film solar cell structures are provided. A reverse p-n junction solar cell device and methods for forming the reverse p-n junction solar cell device using MBE are described. A variety of n-p junction and reverse p-n junction solar cell devices and related methods of manufacturing are provided. N-intrinsic-p junction and reverse p-intrinsic-n junction solar cell devices are also described.

Abstract: A phase-change-material memory cell is provided. The cell comprises at least one patterned layer of a phase-change material, and is characterized in that this patterned layer comprises at least two regions having different resistivities. If the resistivity of the phase-change material is higher in a well-defined area with limited dimensions (“hot spot”) than outside this area, then, for a given current flow between the electrodes, advantageously more Joule heat will be generated within this area compared to the area of the phase-change material where the resistivity is lower.

Abstract: A method for constructing a phase change memory device includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a first conductive component in the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the first conductive component in the first dielectric layer; forming a conductive crown in the second dielectric layer, the conductive crown being in contact and alignment with the conductive component; depositing a third dielectric layer in the conductive crown; and forming a trench filled with chalcogenic materials having an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase programmable by controlling a temperature thereof to represent logic states, wherein the trench extends across the conductive crown, such that the trench is free from a rounded end portion caused by lithography during fabrication of the phase change memory device.